Why does Russia Own Kaliningrad/ Königsberg? (Short Animated Documentary)

When I was a child I knew map of Poland and thought that Kaliningrad region is the whole Russia, so when someone told me Russia is the biggest country in the world I thought they lost their mind, because Poland is clearly bigger.

"Lithuanians refused because they felt incorporating so many Russians would cause long term issues" Dodged one hell of a bullet there

"incorporating so many Russians into its territory would cause long-term issues" Wise decission

I used to take care of a German woman at a nursing home who most people dismissed as crazy because she'd always say she wanted to go home but couldn't. Asked her one day if she was from Konigsberg and she came alive with the biggest smile and told me all about her childhood there and how all she ever wanted in life was to go back and visit just once, but the Russian government forbade it as her family fled to West Germany. Sadly, she passed away a few years ago still here in the states.

Also Kaliningrad was an important strategic position for the military because it was one of the few places where the sea didn’t freeze in winter (unlike St. Petersburg).

This story of Kaliningrad is so surreal it feels like it could only happen in a Civilization game.

It so annoys me that people tend to ignore that "Prussia" itself derives from the Baltic ethnic group Prussians. They were very close to current Lithuanians and Latvians but sadly went extinct because of Teutonic wars

The fate of Königsberg is one of the most tragic in history for cities, imo. Huge cultural center for Germans with lots of historical buildings now is neither a cultural center, nor German, nor filled with historical buildings (most were destroyed in ww2)

You forgot a very important thing that Russians love, ICE FREE PORTS.

Russia be like: W A R M. W A T E R. P O R T.

I haven't learn history so fast ,straight, simple and full of knowledge. Thank you.

I wish everyone watching this on new years,a very pleasant year

“Lithuania thought incorporating Russians would lead to long term problems” Crimea: “good move”

As far as I understand it also had a lot to do with Russia wanting a port on the baltic which didn't freeze during some winter periods

Polish name for it is Królewiec. If you are interested what happend to the Eastern Prussia peaople after the war I recommend the movie Rose (Róża), is a 2011 Polish film directed by Wojciech Smarzowski. It depicts the love story of a Masurian woman and an officer of the Armia Krajowa in postwar Masuria. It's pretty drastic like it was back then. And nowdays polish part of Eastern Prussia is great place for a travel!

I live in Kaliningrad. We locals often call her just König. In general, there are many slang abbreviations of city names in Russia, such as Vladivostok-Vladik or St. Petersburg - Peter. And I see Russian soldiers here almost every day. In fact, it is quite a protected area. A deeply echeloned, dense air defense system has been created here, the Baltic Fleet (missile ships and submarines, naval aviation and a tank regiment), missile brigades, shock aviation regiments, and army corps have been deployed. I think we can easily compete with Moscow and Crimea in the field of security :)

I am german and my deceased grandpa was from Königsberg. He often told stories of how his family had leave their home.

To be honest Russia and warm water is like America and oil.

I love your videos very informative but also short and concise. short and sweet

I love the Mikhail Gorbachev figure, complete with unfortunate birthmark! You instantly know exactly who the figure is because of the birthmark!