Lithuania has prevented Russia from using its railways to send coal, metals, electronics and other sanctioned goods to the Kaliningrad military enclave, drowning up to half of the advanced site’s imports.
Nestled between Poland and Lithuania, the strategically important territory was retained by Moscow after the break-up of the Soviet Union.
Today it is the main base of the Baltic Fleet and Russia’s 11th Army Corps, as well as an arsenal of advanced weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and nuclear-powered Iskander launchers.
However, its million inhabitants have become increasingly isolated since the start of the war in Ukraine, as its trade routes have increased and the surrounding NATO member states have closed. its airspace on Russian planes.
For the last four