Journey to Kaliningrad (Königsberg) Exclave - Russia's Outpost in Europe

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I'm taking you on a journey to Kaliningrad. Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave located on the Baltic Sea, sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. It serves as a strategic outpost for Russia in Europe. Formerly part of East Prussia and known as Königsberg, it was annexed by the Soviet Union after World War II. Today, it remains a unique geopolitical entity, distinct from the Russian mainland. It provides Russia with access to the Baltic Sea and a presence in the European Union, which can influence regional dynamics and politics in the Baltic region.

In this video, I visit a number of settlements in Kaliningrad region with traces of German past. It could happen that some members of YOUR family lived in East Prussia before or soon after the annexation of Konigsberg. Write about this in the comments, it's fascinating to read such stories!

Enjoy the video!

Timceodes:

00:00 - Kaliningrad (Königsberg). Exploring the city.
20:36 - Vladimirovo (Tharau). German church and cobblestone.
24:46 - Bagrationovsk (Preußisch Eylau). The battle of Preußisch Eylau. German watertower and German castle.
27:52 - Gvardeyskoye (Mühlhausen). A story of one German church.
29:12 - Back to Kaliningrad. Fort XI Dönhoff. Organ music.
31:24 - Grocery prices in Kaliningrad (May 2023)
34:16 - Chekhovo (Underwangen). Ruins of German mill and church.
37:52 - Domnovo (Domnau). The story of one long-suffering village.
40:41 - Pravdinsk (Friedland). German hydrant, cathedral and the battle of Friedland.
43:44 - Oktyabr'skoye (Klein Schönau). The ruins of a lutheran church.
45:09 - Abandoned German hydroelectric power plant near Pravdinsk
45:52 - Zheleznodorozhnyy (Gerdauen). Signs of restoration. Ancient castle in ruins.
49:14 - Masurian canal
51:06 - Znamensk (Allenberg). Abandoned Allenberg mental facility.
54:55 - Ozyorsk (Darkehmen, Angerapp). Interviewing locals.
59:14 - Gusev. Divorce rate and bayonet attack.
01:00:23 - A railway viaduct in the middle of nowhere
01:02:28 - Chernyakhovsk (Insterburg). It's getting better!
01:04:47 - Sovetsk (Tilsit). Drug stores and forgotten tram.
01:08:29 - Lithuania is just across the river!
01:10:30 - Polessk. German draw bridge and unknown brewery.
01:11:55 - Svetlogorsk. The resort town.
01:14:02 - Yantarnyy. Amber quarry.
01:15:38 - German WW2 Memorial Cemetry in Primorsk
01:16:48 - Curonian Spit and Zelenogradsk. The best city in the exclave.
01:21:57 - Baltiysk and Vistula Spit. Russia's westernmost city and former Nazi airfield.
01:29:30 - Trainhopping to Kaliningrad
01:29:41 - Kaliningrad Favelas. Interviewing locals.
01:33:30 - Outro

May 2023.

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