Posted on 11/28/2024 5:37:53 AM PST by fruser1
...Nonetheless, the war in Ukraine seems to be absorbing all Russia’s efforts. Russia clearly does not possess the material capacity or will to open a second front in the Baltic. At the same time, however, Russia would never allow Kaliningrad Oblast to be taken from it, for historical, strategic, and prestige reasons. The outcome of the war in Ukraine could result in a reassessment of the future political-juridical status of Kaliningrad, closing a question that has been pending since 1945, when this relatively small rim of land became Russian.
(Excerpt) Read more at usni.org ...
If the new Soviet Union were to march on the three Baltic countries, Kalingrad would cease to be an issue in about ten minutes.
But, it is considered to be a warehouse for Russian arms that would be unleashed East and West in the first salvo. After that, it would be a smoldering mess.
Ping
Does Kaliningrad have a port, or is the coastline all fjords and stuff?
Konigsberg/Kaliningrad has been a port for centuries.
Thank you.
Kaliningrad, formerly Konigsberg, was named after Stalin’s Soviet union “president” Mikhail Kalinin.
His biggest achievement was to survive all Stalin’s purges, a feast the only three of original politburo members achieved. (among like 50).
This area was NEVER Russian!
Pre war, it was settled by Germans, part of East Prussia province of Germany.
But historically, it was a land of Prussians, extinct (Germanized) tribe related to Lithuanians.
Germany, Lithuania and Poland all have legit claims to this territory, but Russians, NEVER.
On Stalin’s whim, it was confiscated from Germany, all population was expelled and Russians were moved in.
It is time to undo this act!
sub pens, ocean access and weapons cache for flanking NATO forces but the most important thing about Kaliningrad is the location. It gives the Russians and excuse to crush the Baltics... and Poland should be very worried.
Prussia gone forever, its people scattered, the land turned into a toxic waste dump.
it is considered to be a warehouse for Russian arms
—
Was - now all available arms are in Ukraine, SA missiles now guarding various Russian installations in Russia proper or Moscow. Also Kaliningrad is cut off at sea now that Sweden and Finland are in NATO.
After suffering 760,000 casualties trying to take Ukraine in 3 years, Russia is in no shape to attack anyone else, anywhere.
Yes!
BTW, Konigsberg (King’s hill) was named after Czech King Premysl Ottokar II, who founded it during his crusade against (then) pagan Prussians.
So even Czechs have more historical claims to this region than Russians!
Unfortunately, the Russians conquered Konigsberg. So it belongs to them now. Blame the Germans for that one. If they didn't follow the Painter from Austria, they'll be able to keep it today.
Actually, there is a movement to annex this region to Czechia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kr%C3%A1lovec_Region
But, it is considered to be a warehouse for Russian arms that would be unleashed East and West in the first salvo. After that, it would be a smoldering mess.
You are sadly mistaken. The Baltics countries
Latvia has 7,345 professional soldiers, 10,000 national guards, and 38,000 reserves..... about 65,000 troops... TOTAL.. they're planning on drafting 600 troops this year.... SIX HUNDRED...
Estonia has about 4,000 men under arms.
Lithuania has about 21,000 total including active duty, reserves, volunteers and conscripts... So let's be generous and say 100,000 men. We have a 600 men/women whatever there in the Baltics acting as a trip-wire. So if the Russians do "protect" Kaliningrad and ask the Baltics to allow safe passage through the Suwalki pass ...it's gonna take a few minutes but it's not going to be what you think.
That's the reason Kaliningrad exists. It gives Russians (they are Russians) an outpost in the flank and act as an excuse for them to ATTACK the west using the age old Russian excuse of "defensive" attacks in other countries.
Are you in the armed forces currently as a Lt?
Maybe you have read a little about this but check your library and read a couple of books and you'll see what you're dealing with...
-"Soviet Military Strategy" by V.D. Sokolovsky
Soviet Sources of Military Doctrine and Strategy (Strategy Paper; No. 26)
Russia’s Military Revival, by Bettina Renz- she agrees with you.
Putin’s Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine, by Mark Galeotti (discusses what is current)
Russian Military Strategy: Core Tenets and Operational Concepts, by Michael Kofman, (will show the difference but what the Russians SAY they are going to do and how they really initially fight.)...
or just go here and see what "we" think about the soviets from the archives...
A link to CIA reading room article cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000499601.
Keep an eye on Belarus. If the situation there deteriorates, I expect the Russians to move in.
It was offered to the Lithuanians but they didn’t want all those pesky Russians in thier country and said, “nope”.. you can keep it.
you’re sure about those 760,000 casualties? Any word on how many Ukrainians casualties?
page 9 of the document I linked explains the communist’s reasons “for war against the west”.
I didnt say that the Baltics would be anything but a speed bump. Their armies would be akin to the Polish Cavalry attacking Nazi tanks. The three would fall in a day.
Doesn’t mean that Kalingrad would not be neutralized in minutes.
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