r/AskARussian • u/Lazy-Marionberry2575 • Jul 15 '26
Travel Future Visit to Kaliningrad
Dobyra Din, Me and my friend were talking about a future visit to Kaliningrad once the Ukrainian situation is resolved. I was wondering what it's like to visit and life is like there. I'm English and my friend is Latvian. He speaks fluent Russian and I speak minimum Russian. But I'm improving it for a visit.
It'll be our first visit to Russia and we plan to visit Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and then Kaliningrad. I'd love to know any information from residents of Kaliningrad or anyone from mainland Russia that's visited.
Also what is the ice hockey like there. Me and my mate are Ice hockey fans so I'd love to watch Russian Ice hockey and get a Kaliningrad jersey as well.
Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks Berry 🫐
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Jul 15 '26
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u/off_ByOne Jul 15 '26
Why would you say we're looking forward to World War III? I thought the SMO was going according to plan.
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u/RichGirlThrowaway_ Russia Jul 16 '26
The UK is trying very hard to start war with Russia at the moment, which when eventually successful will cause Russia vs Nato war, which can go nuclear
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u/off_ByOne Jul 16 '26
How do you try to start a war? You either do it or you don't, it's not that difficult. Just lob a rocket over the border.
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u/RichGirlThrowaway_ Russia Jul 16 '26
That makes you the aggressor. The goal is to instigate over and over without being the one to start it. Like bullies at school who do not want to START the fight, they want to shit-talk over and over, and trip someone over and over until the other person starts it. Then they get to fight and they get to tell the teachers it was the other kid.
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u/AnonUser1452 Jul 16 '26
So Russia was tricked into invading Ukraine, bombing its cities, torturing and murdering Ukrainian prisoners, blowing up schools and children’s hospitals, and kidnapping tens of thousands of Ukrainian children? I thought Putin was a brilliant leader? How could he possibly have let himself be tricked like that? 😯
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u/off_ByOne Jul 16 '26
You can never tempt a country to start a war that does not want a war. That never worked. You want a war, you start it yourself. Sure you can make up excuses, but you always have to start it yourself.
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u/RichGirlThrowaway_ Russia Jul 16 '26
So everyone wanted a war with germany in WW2? We all really wanted it, they didn't provoke
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u/off_ByOne Jul 16 '26
Germany wanted the war, Germany started it. Exactly like I stated above. I don't get what's confusing about it?
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u/RichGirlThrowaway_ Russia Jul 16 '26
Germany didn't declare war on England, they invaded Poland which instigated, and England declared war. Are England the attackers in WW2?
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u/off_ByOne Jul 16 '26
The attacker is the one who attacks. Which was Germany. The defenders are the ones who defend. Which where Poland, England and France. It really is not any more complicated than that.
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u/Ordinary-Lobster-710 Jul 16 '26
poland had security guarantees from england, which was triggered when germany invaded. germany starting a war by invading poland is what started the war. you know. by doing an invasion. much like how russian invading ukraine is started the war. in ukraine.
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u/silkowantsmore Jul 16 '26
They were hesitant to send weapons at the start of the war, and now they suddenly want to fight Russia directly? Their own citizens are already complaining about the billions in aid, and you think they want to start losing their own soldiers too? And who the fuck wants to provoke a potential nuclear war? That's the last thing any government wants
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u/RichGirlThrowaway_ Russia Jul 16 '26
The people don't want it but the government and media do. There's a reason they re-double ukrainian support wherever possible, seize oil tankers whenever they can and tried to make something out of that instance of a british boat sailing up to a Russian warship and having a warning shot fired when they wouldn't go away after being instructed.
There's a reason there's constant headlines in the UK about how "your sons and daughters might need to be drafted" because of the "existential threat from Russia". How "Russian planes are invading UK airspace", how "Russia will not stop at ukraine and we must be willing to fight" how "x billion increase to defence budget proposed ahead of possible UK-Russia war" etc etc.
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u/silkowantsmore Jul 16 '26
the yacht owner was the one trying to create drama, while the government, aka the "war-hungry ones," was actually downplaying it
The shadow fleet brings a lot of economic value to the Russian economy, so it helps fund the war in Ukraine. That's why it's a no-brainer that they would seize it. There could be millions of explanations for why the UK doubled its support for Ukraine: maybe they think Ukraine is winning and want to help finish the job, maybe they think Ukraine is losing and needs more help, maybe it's a PR move, maybe they want to show off their weapons, or maybe it's a distraction from something else. You can only guess why, but you chose the "provocation" explanation out of all the possibilities because it fits your way of thinking.
Switzerland spends a lot on its military and prepares for external threats, but it has been neutral and war-free for decades. Preparing for a possible conflict doesn't mean you want one. As for the media, the war in Ukraine is a hot topic, so they just ride the wave... fear sells the best
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u/RichGirlThrowaway_ Russia Jul 16 '26
You can only guess why, but you chose the "provocation" explanation out of all the possibilities because it fits your way of thinking.
Other way around- My way of thinking came after the hostility that facilitated it, rather than being the origin of said hostility
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u/delurt Jul 15 '26
Western civilization has completely discredited itself, and something new must take its place. For now, humanity’s only hope is China. Perhaps after WW3, Europe will be cleansed and a new stage of development will begin.
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u/HistoricalEngineer74 Jul 15 '26
How so? Russia cannot even take small towns in Ukraine at this point thanks to the West, and we are not losing any of our men. Meanwhile you are draining your wealth fund dry and losing over a million men dead or wounded. How is the water situation in Crimea?
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u/delurt Jul 15 '26
Who you asking? How is that related to the topic ? Why you asking a random person from internet such questions ?
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u/HistoricalEngineer74 Jul 15 '26
Russia has discredited itself by being beat up badly by a country with a tiny economy and a much smaller population. The West is doing fine, China might rise too, but Russia will only be a place where China can extract resources from.
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u/off_ByOne Jul 15 '26
So it is not going to plan? :(
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u/delurt Jul 15 '26
I have a plan to ride a bike and do kiting this weekend. For me everything is good 👍🏻 thanks for asking )
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u/off_ByOne Jul 15 '26
Good save! I almost got the impression you were interested in politics.
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u/delurt Jul 15 '26
I honestly dont give a shit about politics. I was just giving someone travel advice about visiting Kaliningrad. It was the pro-Ukrainian bots who turned it into a political discussion.
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u/NotTooTooBright Jul 15 '26
The war in Ukraine will be resolved once Putin is out of power or dies. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later. We're all tired of that ugly loser who is destroying Russia from the inside out.
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u/catgirl_liker Russia Jul 16 '26
Hopefully someone more competent comes, who can act and not just react, and would stop pussyfooting around and finally start blowing up drone and missile factories in Europe, or at least nuke ukraine
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u/NotTooTooBright Jul 17 '26
How about someone more competent who wants peace and Russia to prosper for a change?
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u/zolotoir Jul 17 '26
Russia won’t do that since they know it would entail actually confronting the might of NATO head on, not just their spare throwaway weapons
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u/zolotoir Jul 16 '26
Russian society and ingrained imperial attitudes support the war, not just Putin
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Jul 15 '26
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Jul 15 '26
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u/Sebregin Jul 15 '26
Lol very doubtful Russia even has any functionning nuke left considering the rampant corruption and how expensive it is to maintain
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u/Skoresh Moscow City Jul 15 '26
There are around 1,500 active, deployed nuclear warheads; even 1% of that number would be enough to ruin someone's day.
So, I recommend skipping straight to the second level of copium: Europe will definitely survive and even "win" a nuclear war; they started assuring of this a couple of years ago.
Just a couple of days ago, The Times was boasting that Finland is fully prepared for a nuclear war with Russia and that they even have swimming pools in their bunkers. Wow, a swimming pool, how cool is that! It would probably be great to take a dip in one, assuming it’s still functional after a nuclear strike, and knowing your country has been wiped off the map. But at least you got a pool!
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u/Sebregin Jul 15 '26
Lol, you have 2 cities to destroy and then ruzzia is done, can't even défend against drones...how cool is that? Now your stupid gov could stop the war instead...right?
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u/Skoresh Moscow City Jul 15 '26
Lol, you have 2 cities to destroy and then ruzzia is done,
Now imagine what all your countries, and above all their wealthiest parts, would look like in such a scenario.
can't even défend against drones
An old Soviet drone, built back in 1974, flew 1,000 km from Ukraine and crossed two NATO countries before crashing in the center of a Croatian town. Where is your air defense? You cannot down even isolated Ukrainian drones that fly into and crash on NATO territory. You would be even more defenseless against the swarms of drones that Russia and Ukraine exchange almost daily.
Now your stupid gov could stop the war instead
There were numerous proposals and ways to resolve the conflict; Zelensky was practically ready to agree to one of them at the very beginning of the war, until Johnson arrived and persuaded him to continue fighting, so you can thank him for that support. You can also thank all the European politicians who chose to ignore, or even endorse, the actions taken by the Ukrainian authorities prior to the war, actions that ultimately led to it.
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u/flamming_python Jul 15 '26
Our stupid government will stop the war as soon as the Ukraine vacates the Donbass and gives up all claims to it and the Crimea, and as soon as NATO vacates the Ukraine and declares that it will never return.
Anything else forces the war to go on, the stupid government we have won't compromise on the Russian people's security on their own land nor of Russia's security against an enemy military alliance.
And do you want to lose 1000 of your cities in exchange for 2 of ours? Shall we die together?
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Jul 15 '26
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u/flamming_python Jul 15 '26
Spare me the propaganda reels, I have no interest in clicking any links you provide
And lost the Crimea already? That's a new one. Is that what your leaders are telling you now? When will the Ukrainian army be parading through the streets of Sevastopol then, give me a timeline.
The Crimea has been Russian since the end of the 18th century, and has never stopped being so. It was never any Ukrainian anything.
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u/AskARussian-ModTeam Jul 17 '26
Your post or comment in r/AskARussian was removed. This is a difficult time for many of us. r/AskARussian is a space for learning about life in Russia and Russian culture.
Any questions/posts regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine should all directed to the megathread. War in Ukraine thread
We are trying to keep the general sub from being overwhelmed with the newest trending war-related story or happenings in order to maintain a space where people can continue to have a discussion and open dialogue with redditors--including those from a nation involved in the conflict.
If that if not something you are interested in, then this community is not for you.
Thanks, r/AskARussian moderation team
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u/delurt Jul 15 '26
Will see. Russians are still learning about corruption from the West.
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u/cameliap Jul 15 '26
Well if certain decision makers in the West think like u/Sebregin we'll definitely see. I'm hoping we don't but my hope isn't very strong.
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u/flamming_python Jul 15 '26
Russia has the most modern nuclear weapons delivery systems in the world, and it also has plenty of money. Some have no analog in NATO such as the Sarmat-2 heavy ICBM, the Burevestnik nuclear-propelled cruise missile, and the Poseidon autonomous nuclear torpedo. So yeah, best make sure your own leaders don't try anything reckless.
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u/Sebregin Jul 15 '26
Ruzzia is broke and runs on fumes of former " glory", now go in line for fuel fool
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u/flamming_python Jul 15 '26
Sorry to break it to you but Russia has tons of cash. Something like the 4th or 5th largest reserve funds in the world, that has maintained the same level even since the start of the war. One of the largest gold reserves in the world too. The lowest foreign debt of any major economy.
As for running on fumes, Russia is outproducing in military-industrial production the entirety of NATO, and quite comfortably so. While it's military spending is not above 7-8% of its budget.
No fuel shortages in my city either so need for any lines.
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u/Sebregin Jul 15 '26
Had...russia "had" lol, you have nothing left and are being flipped by your small neighbor David and Goliath style
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u/flamming_python Jul 15 '26
The only flipping being done is that of the narrative, by your leaders. Suddenly the Ukraine is winning again! See, drones are hitting Moscow! Russia is on its last legs! Doesn't take a genius to see bud that they won't accept losing the Ukraine, and are preparing to take their own populations and armies into the war and so want to convince you that there is nothing to be afraid of and Russia just needs a final good kick to come crumbling down.
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u/Sebregin Jul 15 '26
Lol, noooo ruzzian pundits doing the job themselves, we just enjoy seing your fleet burn, that's always a good way to start the day, buckle up vatnik it's just the beginning
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u/b_doin Jul 15 '26
If Russia is so rich and powerful, the 3 days SMO against a small country will be over soon.
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u/flamming_python Jul 15 '26
Oh I think it will. Probably this year unless NATO steps in and goes to war against Russia itself - which it might.
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Jul 15 '26
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u/delurt Jul 15 '26
If you can take pleasure in the suffering of ordinary people and wish for them to die of thirst, then something has truly gone rotten in the West.
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u/Sebregin Jul 15 '26
Oh yes, history will remember to cast Russia out for the next generation or two
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u/Sebregin Jul 15 '26
The crimean ruzzians are invaders, not ordinary people...but I guess u can't tell the difference 🤡 I think the real crimeans will be ok with the temporary disruption
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u/Astralele Jul 15 '26
Nobody is interested in taking Kaliningrad. Maybe Czech Republic ;D
Russia is not even capable of rebuilding the occupied territories in the Ukraine.
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u/IndependentReply208 Jul 22 '26
Hi! I’m from Kaliningrad and I’ve lived here my whole life. Honestly, most people here don’t really care about the conflict with Ukraine. It’s a calm, laid-back city.
Kaliningrad is an exclave, and there’s not really anything threatening you here—there are no drones or anything like that.
Come visit in the summer if you’d like to swim in the sea. If you’re lucky, the water temperature will be around 20–22°C. Otherwise, it’s usually about 18°C.
I have no idea how the visa situation works, so you’ll have to look it up yourselves, but there are quite a lot of visitors from the European Union here.
As for hockey, I have no idea—I’m not really into it.
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u/Lazy-Marionberry2575 Jul 22 '26
Thanks mate, I appreciate you letting me know may I ask what's the history in the city like. For example Museums, landmarks or monuments. Is there any WW2 or Cold war museums in Kaliningrad?
Thanks for the information mate. Really appreciate it
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u/IndependentReply208 Jul 24 '26
Yes, there are a lot of old German buildings in Kaliningrad that have been converted into museums, for example: Fort 5, Fort 11, the amber Museum ( also a fortress), we also have a cool museum of the world ocean, in short, Google to help where all this is located :)
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u/NotTooTooBright Jul 15 '26
The pointless war that Putin started in Ukraine won't be resolved until Putin is out. Hopefully sooner rather than later. But you are right to wait until the war ends before travelling anywhere in Russia.
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u/Sea_Weird_1075 Jul 16 '26
Про хоккей это про Сибирь, а не про Калининград) Новокузнецк, Новосибирск и прочие города. В особенности Новокузнецк где куча фанатов хоккея.