Poland–Russia border

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Russia–Polish border
Characteristics
Entities Russia  Poland
Length206 km (128 mi),[1] 418 km (260 mi) or 416 km (258 mi)
History
EstablishedDecember 1991
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
Polish and Russian boundary markers
The border road near Nowa Karczma, Nowy Dwór Gdański County, July 2020

The modern Poland–Russia border is a nearly straight-line division between the Republic of

Russian Federation exclave Kaliningrad Oblast, a region not connected to the Russian mainland. It is 232 kilometres (144 mi) long. The current location and length of the border was decided in the aftermath of World War II. In 2004, it became part of the boundary of the European Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States
.

History

Major border changes in history of Poland. Eastern borders shown represent various and changing borders between Poland and Russia.

The history of the border between Poland and Russia can be traced to the early history of both nations, with one of the earliest notable incidents being the Polish king

People's Republic of Poland and the USSR.[7] The new Polish-Soviet border was 1,321 kilometres (821 mi) long at first and, after a minor modification in the 1951 Polish–Soviet territorial exchange, reduced to 1,244 kilometres (773 mi).[7][8]

Modern border

The modern border between Poland and Russia is regulated by a number of legal documents, many of them dating to the times of the

Border Agreement between Poland and the USSR of 16 August 1945.[7][9] The newly defined Soviet-Polish border included system of various engineered protection facilities up to a few kilometres wide such as ploughed strips of earth and no-man zone.[10]

While the actual border line remained unchanged following the

Poland-Ukraine border. The Poland–Russia borders were confirmed in a Polish-Russian treaty of 1992 (ratified in 1993).[9]

The Poland–Russia border is 232 km long between Poland and

Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship; the extreme east is in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, and the westernmost segment (on the Vistula Spit) in the Pomeranian Voivodeship.[11] 210 km of the border is land and 22 km is sea.[11]

The World War II ended in May 1945. The forming of the border began with huge restrictions on movement of civilians. The economic model typical of the USSR, reinforced by the dominant military role of the Kaliningrad Oblast, meant that it did not establish closer cooperation with the neighboring Polish areas (Olsztyn, Gdańsk and Białystok Voivodeships), and generally for a decade it played no role in the Polish-Soviet trade, economic and cultural contacts. East Prussia was divided by a kind of internal iron curtain. The lack of cooperation between both entities made it difficult to even deal with such basic matters as regulating the functioning of watercourses that crossed the border, for example the Łyna River. Only from time to time there were some Polish-Kaliningrad contacts, for example in November 1953, fish processing specialists from Gdynia met with colleagues from Kaliningrad and the three Baltic republics at a working conference in Riga. In turn, in 1954, the Soviet side became interested in navigation data regarding the water route from Kaliningrad to Elbląg and Gdańsk. However, this did not result in the launch of permanent cooperation.

The border in the area of Gmina Banie Mazurskie, August 2010

The border began formulating in October and November 1945 when an artificial border was introduced, causing, among other things, eliminating some communication routes from use. The railway line

sea port, after 1945 it ceased to be one. Back in August 1945 when Joseph Stalin announced the actual closure of the port at a banquet with the Polish government delegation in Moscow the report of the Union of Polish Ports assumed that Elbląg would be one of the four main Polish ports. In order for the city to be a port, it was necessary for the USSR to respect the norms of international maritime law and to enable the navigation of merchant ships of all flags to Elbląg from the high seas through the Strait of Baltiysk. On August 11, 1945, the central authorities in Warsaw officially asked the USSR to open the strait. However, this navigation was made impossible, thwarting plans to recreate both a significant port center and a full shipbuilding industry.[12] From Bagrationovsk, lost by Poland, the railway line ran further west to Zinten (Cynty, now Kornevo) and Święta Siekierka (now Mamonovo), where there was another junction, north to Królewiec and south to Braniewo. This route would be the best connection of all northern poviats of the Masurian District (since 1946, Olsztyn Voivodeship) with Elbląg and the rest of the country. It would facilitate the reconstruction of areas that have already suffered great losses as a result of the war and post-war robberies. Drawing the border parallel to the parallel resulted in a huge economic weakening of the entire area, from the Gołdap County to Elbląg County. On October 9, 1945, the government representative in the Masurian District, noticing the dramatic economic consequences of leaving the Święta Siekierka-Gołdap railway line on the Soviet side pleaded to the Polish government to improve the final border arrangement.[12]

Fence where the border crosses the coast line

The lack of a formal demarcation of the border in the field, and it was the Army commandants and the

telegram sent by the Polish People's Republic Embassy in Moscow to the Headquarters on this matter contains an annotation from the deputy director of Department 1 of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kazimierz Korolczyk, who suggested that this issue be resolved in an unspecified future in "...more favorable circumstances". On August 8, in a note to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adam Rapacki, it was announced that diplomats of the Polish People's Republic had been instructed to exchange views. Meanwhile, the Russians insisted on talks soon because, in their opinion, rumors were being spread in the West that the lack of border delimitation in this section called into question the Potsdam Agreement itself. However, the Polish October meant that practically no attention was paid to this issue. In this context, it is worth emphasizing the fact that it was omitted in the final communique, which was announced in Moscow after the conclusion of the Polish-Soviet talks held in Moscow on November 14-18 of the same year. The new leader of the Polish United Workers' Party, Władysław Gomułka, who for years had been striving for West Germany to recognize the Oder–Neisse line, was interested in advancing the talks on the final demarcation of the border line with the USSR in order to deprive Western political opponents of the arguments. Finally, on March 4, 1957, a delegation of the Polish People's Republic arrived in Moscow, headed by Minister Rapacki. Just two days later, the agreement on demarcating the existing border in the part adjacent to the Baltic Sea was signed. Signatures on the document were submitted by Rapacki and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR, Andrei Gromyko.[13]

Russian border guards on Vistula Spit, August 2011

The official demarcation of the boundary was finalized March 5, 1957, in the following terms:

The Contracting Parties confirm that the existing State frontier between the

Zytkiejmy, 4 kilometres north of the inhabited locality of Gołdap, 0.5 kilometres south of the inhabited locality of Krylovo, 3 kilometres south of the inhabited locality of Zheleznodorozhny, 2 kilometres south of the inhabited locality of Bagrationovsk, 4 kilometres south of the inhabited locality of Mamonovo, 7 kilometres north of the inhabited locality of Braniewo (formerly Braunsberg) and thence across the Kaliningradsky Zaliv (Zalew Wislany) and the Baltiiskaya Kosa (Mierzeja Wislana) to a point on the west shore of this spit 3 kilometres north-east of the inhabited locality of Nowa Karczma (known as Piaski) and is part of the town of Krynica Morska (Föglers) (the distances between the inhabited localities and the frontier are approximate).[14]

In practice, the agreement was incomplete as it did not take into account the situation in many points where the border had to be rectified. During the work of the Delimitation Commission, the District National Council in Węgorzewo, and then the Provincial National Council in Olsztyn, suggested connecting a five-kilometer section of the road connecting pl:Ruskie Pola, located in Poland, with Kryłów, which belonged to the USSR, to the Polish People's Republic, as this section of the road was the only convenient connection of the village of Zielony Ostrów with the rest of the country. In return, the Polish side was ready to hand over to the Soviet side a similar section of the road connecting two towns on its side: Bogatowo and Korniewo. However, this proposal was not adopted by the Commission. However, other Polish proposals were taken into account: firstly, Poland was granted a relatively small area north of the town of Żytkiejmy, which enabled its inhabitants to farm, secondly, the Soviet Union agreed to give the Poland a one and a half kilometer section of the road connecting Szczurkowo with Ostre Bardo. The Polish side transferred, in the form of compensation, the crossroads in the area of the settlement of Mażucie, previously cut off by the border line, and also the Polish part of the lake near Bagrationovsk. The Delimitation Commission completed its work on September 10, 1957.[12]

A cleared strip of land in the middle of a wooded area. In the center are two small wooden posts, one painted red and white and the other green and red. On either side are signs in Polish stating that this is the international border and that crossing it here is prohibited
Markers and warning signs along Polish side of border

When

Border of the European Union
).

As of 2008, there were three road crossings (Gołdap-Gusev, Bezledy-Bagrationovsk and Gronowo-Mamonovo) and three train crossing (Braniewo-Mamonovo, Skandawa-Zheleznodorozhny and Głomno-Bagrationovsk).[15][16][17] In 2010, the largest road crossing up to that point was opened at Grzechotki-Mamonovo.[18] More crossings are being built (Perły-Krylovo, Piaski-Baltiysk, Rapa-Ozyorsk), as the EU standards require Poland to operate at least seven for that border.[15]

In the first quarter of 2012, the Polish-Russian border saw the least traffic out of the borders Poland shares with the non-

Poland-Belarus border).[19] For that period, a majority of the individuals crossing the borders did so for the explicit purpose of short term (usually under one day) shopping; this was the case with 45% of foreigners entering Poland, and 87% of Poles entering Russia.[19] Compared to traffic on other non-EU Polish borders, a much larger percentage (22% foreigners and 7% Poles) crossed the borders for the purpose of tourism and transit (16.5% foreigners).[19]

On November 2, 2022, Poland's Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak announces the construction of a barrier along the border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, as Poland believes that Russia will use the border to illegally transport African and Asian immigrants to Europe.[20][21][22][23] This barrier is planned to reach 3 metres (9.8 ft) high, and include cameras and motion detectors. The move to construct the barrier came in response to Kaliningrad allowing from 1 October for a far greater level of international flights to its airport.[24]

Border area

Because Kaliningrad Oblast is small, homogeneous and an exclave within the European Union, in 2011 the whole Oblast was granted the status of border area eligible to local border traffic rules. In reciprocity, the following Polish administrative districts (powiaty) were granted the same status:[25]

The border traffic is very high, and additional border crossings are being considered as of 2013.[26][needs update] Due to worsened relations between Poland and Russia after the annexation of Crimea these plans came mostly to a halt.

Border crossings

Image Russian Road[27] Poland Road[27] Type of crossing[27] Status[28] Coordinates [27]
– – Railway ? 54°26′12″N 19°52′25″E / 54.436690°N 19.873666°E / 54.436690; 19.873666
A 194 DK 54 Road Active 54°26′03″N 19°53′50″E / 54.434133°N 19.897285°E / 54.434133; 19.897285
R 516 / E28 S 22 / E28 Road Active 54°25′20″N 20°04′09″E / 54.422110°N 20.069206°E / 54.422110; 20.069206
– – Road Closed 54°25′07″N 20°06′35″E / 54.418604°N 20.109728°E / 54.418604; 20.109728
– DW 510 Road Closed 54°24′15″N 20°17′10″E / 54.404207°N 20.286199°E / 54.404207; 20.286199
– – Road Closed 54°23′27″N 20°25′05″E / 54.390875°N 20.418164°E / 54.390875; 20.418164
– – Road Closed 54°23′13″N 20°27′18″E / 54.387013°N 20.455029°E / 54.387013; 20.455029
27A-018 (Ulitsa Druzhby) DK 51 Road Active 54°22′18″N 20°39′37″E / 54.371735°N 20.660240°E / 54.371735; 20.660240
– – Railway ? 54°22′18″N 20°41′53″E / 54.371547°N 20.698051°E / 54.371547; 20.698051
– – Railway ? 54°20′01″N 21°18′11″E / 54.333516°N 21.303155°E / 54.333516; 21.303155
– DW 591 Road Active 54°19′59″N 21°18′19″E / 54.333177°N 21.305291°E / 54.333177; 21.305291
– – Road Closed 54°19′53″N 21°49′34″E / 54.331327°N 21.826039°E / 54.331327; 21.826039
– – Road Closed 54°20′01″N 21°55′42″E / 54.333504°N 21.928235°E / 54.333504; 21.928235
27A-011 DK 65 Road Active 54°20′28″N 22°17′53″E / 54.341249°N 22.298090°E / 54.341249; 22.298090

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Poland-Russia border.

References

  1. ^ Rocznik Statystyczny Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej 2019. Warszawa: Główny Urząd Statystyczny, 2019, s. 80. ISSN 1506-0632.
  2. ^ Wyprawa Kijowska Chrobrego Chwała Oręża Polskiego Nr 2. Rzeczpospolita and Mówią Wieki. Primary author Rafał Jaworski. 5 August 2006 (in Polish)
  3. ISBN 978-1-57607-800-6
    . Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  4. ISBN 978-0-253-34588-2
    . Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  5. ^ "Ryski traktat pokojowy - WIEM, darmowa encyklopedia". Portalwiedzy.onet.pl. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  6. ^ Polska w cyfrach[permanent dead link] [in:] E. Romer Atlas Polski wspolczesnej, 1928[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ a b c d Tomasz Dubowski. Chapter Granica polsko–rosyjska jako granica zewnętrzna Unii Europejskiej. In PRZYJAZNA GRANICA NIEZBĘDNYM ELEMENTEM WZMACNIANIA STOSUNKÓW SPOŁECZEŃSTW POLSKI I ROSJI, Wydział Prawa Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku, 2011. Accessed on 11 September 2012. [1] Archived 2018-07-28 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ISBN 978-83-87251-71-0
    . Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  9. ^ a b Janusz Szymańskii. Chapter Relacje traktatowe z Rosją po przystąpieniu Polski do UE. In PRZYJAZNA GRANICA NIEZBĘDNYM ELEMENTEM WZMACNIANIA STOSUNKÓW SPOŁECZEŃSTW POLSKI I ROSJI, Wydział Prawa Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku, 2011. Accessed on 11 September 2012. [2] Archived 2018-07-28 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Pedestrian border crossing, Krzysztof Mrozek p. 2" (PDF).
  11. ^ a b c Mały Rocznik Statystyczny Polski 2012, Główny Urząd Statystyczny, 2012. Accessed on 11 September 2012. [3]
  12. ^ a b c Mirosław Golon. "Problem polsko-radzieckiej granicy w byłych Prusach Wschodnich w latach 1945-1958" (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  13. ^ Wojciech Rojek. sowieckiej_rosyjskiej_polnocnej_granicy_panstwowej_1957-2009_2014.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y "Delimitacja polsko-sowieckiej/rosyjskiej północnej granicy państwowej 1957-2009" (PDF). Jagiellonian University. Retrieved 2023-09-27. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  14. ^ Russia (USSR) / Poland Treaty (with annexed maps) concerning the Demarcation of the Existing Soviet-Polish State Frontier in the Sector Adjoining the Baltic Sea 5 March 1957 (retrieved from the UN Delimitation Treaties Infobase, accessed on 18/03/2002)
  15. ^ a b "Powstanie nowe przejście z obwodem kaliningradzkim. wnp.pl | Serwis Logistyka. Transport, logistyka, firmy kurierskie". Logistyka.wnp.pl. 2008-04-16. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  16. ^ "Straż Graniczna - Treść" (in Polish). Strazgraniczna.pl. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  17. ^ "Straż Graniczna - Treść" (in Polish). Strazgraniczna.pl. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  18. ^ Agencja Reklamowa GABO (2010-12-08). "W Grzechotkach ruszyło największe przejście na granicy z Rosją". info.elblag.pl. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  19. ^ a b c Badanie obrotu towarów i usług na zewnętrznej granicy Unii Europejskiej na terenie Polski w I kwartale 2012 roku, GŁÓWNY URZĄD STATYSTYCZNY URZĄD STATYSTYCZNY W RZESZOWIE, Warszawa-Rzeszów, 23 maja 2012 r.. Accessed 11 September 2011. [4].
  20. ^ "Poland lays razor wire on border with Russia's Kaliningrad". AP NEWS. November 2, 2022.
  21. ^ "Poland Orders Border Wall With Russia's Kaliningrad, Cites Security and Migrant Crossings". Time. 2022-11-02. Archived from the original on 2022-11-15.
  22. ^ "Poland to build wall on border with Russia's Kaliningrad – DW – 11/02/2022". dw.com.
  23. ^ "Poland lays razor wire on border with Russia's Kaliningrad". ABC News.
  24. ^ Claudia Ciobanu (November 15, 2022). "Fog of War Thickens on Poland-Russia Border at Kaliningrad". Balkan Insight. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  25. ^ "EUR-Lex - 32011R1342 - EN - EUR-Lex". eur-lex.europa.eu.
  26. ^ Eastern approaches Ex-communist Europe (2013-10-08). "Poland and Kaliningrad: Small Border Traffic". The Economist. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
  27. ^ a b c d See Google Maps for respectively coordinate and OpenStreetMap.
  28. ^ See Google Street View for respectively coordinate.
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