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After World War II East Prussia ceased to exist. The southern part of the province went to Poland, the northern part to Soviet Union. In the northern part the old Prussian capital Königberg was situated, with the navy base Pillau at the Baltic Sea coast line.
Königsberg became named Kaliningrad and the navy base Baltiysk which became one of the most important ports of the Soviet Union. Of course the area was closed for foreigners.
After the fall of Soviet Union, the Baltic States regain their independence. But the remnants of East Prussia still belonged to the Russian federal soviet republic (RFSR), and stayed in the new Russia. Baltiysk was still too important for the Russians to let go, and the city Kaliningrad had almost only Russian speaking population.
Thus, a part of Russia, the Kaliningrad oblast, became totally isolated from the rest of the Russian federation.
Nowadays foreigners are permitted to enter the area.
Approaching
Approaching Baltiysk, situated at the inlet to Kaliningradskij Saliv is pure high sea sailing. If you're coming from the north, look up for Kaliningrad's northwest point. Mys Taran. The water outside this point is shallow and you have to go around the buoys.
The nautical situation at Baltiysk is similar to that at Klaipeda. On the northern shore you have the mainland with a town. On the other side of the sea channel you have the norther point of a split. Well inside, the protected inner sea is opening. Announce your arrival by VHF. If they don't answer, it's probably because they can't speak English well, but they sure listen.
The border is located at the ferry terminal (see harbour plan). The border control post is now open again, after beeing closed for in the beginning of summer 2008.
Don't count staying for the night, The authorities don't want foreign yachts in Baltiysk! If possible, plan the sailing, so that you arrive in the morning, making it possible to continue into Kaliningrad in daylight.
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