The EU's "most dangerous Border Area"

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 พ.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 135

  • @MatthiasSchwarzerEnglish
    @MatthiasSchwarzerEnglish  หลายเดือนก่อน +5

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  • @mangu8s
    @mangu8s 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +16

    As Lithuanian who lives near this Suwalki gap, I find this video very interesting. Thanks

  • @khecke
    @khecke 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +10

    Der Bericht war doch interessanter als ich zuerst gedacht hatte. Danke Dir, Matthias.

  • @figit42
    @figit42 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +23

    Very interesting video Matthias. Thanks for showing us these unique places

  • @robbar42
    @robbar42 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +144

    it's surprising how a small polish town next to a russian border has its streets paved, public spaces cared for I'd say it's Germany. When you cross the border to Russia everything's run-down, left to rot, a country that promotes family tradition that is not even able to pay enough pension to its retirees that are left to starve. Putin still lives in 1940.

    • @NottinghamForest24
      @NottinghamForest24 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +8

      @@robbar42
      Oi oi oi
      Poland is tiny country compared to Russian Federation,and with EU donation system over there.
      And why so many Poles (and not only) in abroad ,dream to move to somewhere far away to Wild Nature Lands in Retirement age.

    • @gigantus9001
      @gigantus9001 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +36

      @@NottinghamForest24 What does it have to do with the fact that Poland is small compared to Russia?
      And EU donations isn't free money, it's not charity. This is a deal - EU donations for free EU market.

    • @Benjamin.Jamin.
      @Benjamin.Jamin. 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +22

      @@NottinghamForest24 none of that excuses it, especially given Russia's massive natural resource reserves. The more Russians can see what the rest of Europe looks like the better.

    • @bananbananowy3552
      @bananbananowy3552 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +5

      @@NottinghamForest24Considering that Russia is the biggest country in the world, it's safe to assume that in comparison Poland is tiny. Russia is also a very rich country. Full of talent and natural resources. Sadly, the corruption is rampant and money is usually spent on everything but not public infrastructure or social expenditure.
      And when it comes to migrating to another countries, that's I'd say pretty normal. Even people from western countries, such as England, find themselves moving to f.e. Australia.

    • @Fl4ngerr
      @Fl4ngerr 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      I doubt that it looks so cared in the snowy, muddy winter months.

  • @madmolf
    @madmolf 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +18

    Hi from France, the iron curtain and east/west relationship has fascinated me since I was a kid in the seventies. Thank you for your instructive reporting.

  • @VillSid
    @VillSid 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +17

    The old man who said 'Russians' and gestured explosions probably meant that there may be mines on russian side

    • @Matti_us_Alpe
      @Matti_us_Alpe 24 วันที่ผ่านมา

      No. Russians have firing ranges and testing grounds on their side.

  • @marklisiecki5790
    @marklisiecki5790 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +9

    Very interesting, enjoyable and accurate video:) Best wishes 🇵🇱🤝🇩🇪

  • @garnuch271
    @garnuch271 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +6

    Really nice video. I’m from southern Poland and didn’t know much about Suwałki gap, thanks for new knowledge!

  • @twistedredhead2899
    @twistedredhead2899 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +7

    I just learned so much. My mind is blown to bits. I wish that my school instructors had been more like you. My classes were so boring, but you make this so interesting and captivating! 😊

  • @hakangustavsson3538
    @hakangustavsson3538 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    This documentary is a real gem. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
    I have long wondered how life around the Suwalki gap is today amongst all tension and now I got answers.
    All things with a connection to the cold war is part of one's own history being born a few years after the end of ww2. I appreciate the professionalism with which the documentary was made. Including the nice personal touch.. Top notch. I hace subscribed and will explore other content.
    Vielen Dank aus Schweden!

  • @Nozume
    @Nozume 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +6

    Absolut grandioses Video. Ich freue mich echt auf die nächsten Videos der Reihe.
    Absolutely fantastic video. I'm really looking forward to the next videos in the series.

  • @jajajejehjune4301
    @jajajejehjune4301 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    It is great that you actually went to the places that are you talking about.
    That adds completely new perspective to the video 😀

  • @lookitsaburnoutfan
    @lookitsaburnoutfan 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +5

    Just got this video recommended, cool quirky way of showing things around. Idk if you are in poland rn but you could visit area of the floods that happened there near the czech border and even show the polish and czech perspective of ongoing repeairs etc

  • @lkrnpk
    @lkrnpk 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +6

    I'm Latvian, I was ar the same place where the Polish, Lithuanian and Russian borders meet, in Suvalki and was also in Lithuanian small town which has Sovetsk (former Tilsit) on the other side of the river

  • @filipek124
    @filipek124 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +27

    Nie dziw się, że sytuacja w Szczurkowie jest napięta. Jeżeli jesteś na granicy z państwem terrorystycznym, napadajacym na swoich sąsiadów to jaka ma być sytuacja?

  • @mariuszbednarko4380
    @mariuszbednarko4380 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

    Interesting perspective. I was born in Suwałki :) Nice small town, surrounded by beautyfull nature. Historically experienced many difficult moments due to its location on the border between Poland, Lithuania, Russia and ... Germany.

  • @wolf79wolf79
    @wolf79wolf79 25 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Dude, I'm from Warsaw and I had no idea what it looks like there. Kudos to you!

    • @roberttwardowski9711
      @roberttwardowski9711 13 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      No to bardzo zle ze nie wiesz jak tam wyglada. Musi Ci Niemiec pokazywac?

  • @EdMcF1
    @EdMcF1 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +19

    There was a story about the border, when it was drawn up, cutting through a farm in a village, and the commissars asked the farmer which side of the border he would prefer the farm to be on. He immediately said 'Poland'. He was asked, 'Are you an Anti-Soviet Agitator?' and he replied 'No, I just cannot stand the Russian Winters'.

  • @suomimann
    @suomimann 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +11

    My Grandma is from Błędowo in german Blandau, she fled the soviets in '44 and came to the german city of Salzgitter, with some family members, I want to visit Poland and see what remains of that place (and see Gdansk and Warzawa)

  • @macjonte
    @macjonte 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    Thanks for an interesting video! I have also visited two larger villages in the gap, lazdijai in 2018 and Veisiejai this fall. The later one had a quite decent pizza.

  • @maslelviz
    @maslelviz 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +25

    it's a great illustration: the part of the village that is on the Polish side is a beautiful well-maintained place, the part on the russian side......does not exist anymore......

  • @rondecambio7375
    @rondecambio7375 11 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Great Documentary,commentary and camera work.

  • @AcrobotMovies
    @AcrobotMovies 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +5

    Nice pronunciation of the Polish city/village names! The way you pronounced Szczurkowo is really close :D
    EDIT: I was also at the Wisztyniec border obelisk when I was a child and I may or may not have run around it :p I also travelled to Kaliningrad (of course before the invasion of Ukraine) by a bus from Gdańsk, since there used to be (and still is!) a direct bus route there. Sad what was left of the former Konigsberg glory.

  • @HansMilling
    @HansMilling 20 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Super interesting video. Thanks for making it. A
    It is also great that you do not use a lot of stock videos, but your own b-rolls.

  • @hackhack930
    @hackhack930 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +21

    Pity you have not touched one issue. Up to 2020 there were big move on Kaliningrad- Polish border. Russians from Kaliningrad massively come to Poland for shopping and also sightseeing. It was „window to the outside world” do many Russians but also it was very important for towns on the Polish side of the border (eg. Braniewo, Gołdap). The whole area is rather poor. Russian buyers played important role in local retailing business. Pandemic was the first stab and after 2022 the transborder traffic stopped dead.

    • @cehaem2
      @cehaem2 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

      Correct. Biedronka markets were basically under siege of Russian shoppers. The reason was very simple - good imported from the EU were/are hilariously expensive in Russia. A Milka bar costs easily double the price in PL. Czech beer was also quite popular, detergents etc. At some point also pricier electronics. On the other hand, Poles shopped alcohol, cigarettes and of course filled their cars with petrol to the brim.

  • @stefanhogas2414
    @stefanhogas2414 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Thank you for sharing with us ! Keep it on with the nice work.

  • @Tris_z
    @Tris_z 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +22

    As a Estonian, I still fear for my life, especially with our russian population and after the border incident here. Very intresting video however, thanks for the content!

    • @Fl4ngerr
      @Fl4ngerr 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

      That’s the thing, if Nato had a strong and united leadership, their members wouldn’t need to be afraid. There’s way too many nations far from Russia with different intresses.

    • @Sebastian-fk3gs
      @Sebastian-fk3gs 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

      As a Latvian i will say that ruzzia has always been this way. I don't fear a conventional attack happening, however we seriously as "the west" to deal with kremlin sponsored disinformation to avoid agents such as lepen and orban from obtaining power through electoral means

    • @benas_st
      @benas_st 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +6

      Hey there! Which border incident are you talking about? 🇪🇪❤🇱🇹

    • @Fl4ngerr
      @Fl4ngerr 23 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@benas_st Some buoy's between Estonian and Russian waters were moved a little as a provocation earlier this year, I assume he meant that incident.

  • @sammymarrco2
    @sammymarrco2 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    such an in depth video about a lesser known area, great job!

  • @mikezulu1349
    @mikezulu1349 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I am Polish and the "Suwałki Gap" area is one of my favourite places to spend my summer holidays in. I try to go there every year, at least for a couple of days. Every time I go, a visit to the RU-PL-LT tripoint is a must. Over the years I've been watching Lithuania gradually build a barrier on their border with Russia in this place. It's a shame that this tourist attraction is now wrapped in barbed wire. BTW as far as I can remember, there has always been a tall fence on the Russian side, which is a bit ironic.

  • @VillSid
    @VillSid 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    Missed context:
    - Belarus has no visa entry for Lithuanians and that and people are discouraged from going by limiting the number of crossings also by publicity campaigns and the fact that Belarussians have arrested a couple of people and we had problems back. Main problem is Belarussian secret services are looking for people to use.
    - Train that can not stop. There are a special trains that runs to Kaliningrad through Lithuania it is not allowed to stop in Lithuania because people on it do not have visa to enter Lithuania but the train goes though our territory of Lithuania to Kaliningrad. It is an EU level decision and russian propagandists often accuse us of blockading Kaliningrad.
    - Criminal activity. Border security increase has made contraband more difficult, so no we get hundreds of weather balloons floating in all over Lithuania Latvia and Poland bunch of drones carrying mostly cheaper cigarettes. Previously they would just walk over the border, hide in the cargo trains or similar. Also, some criminals have tried feeling the authorities by illegally crossing the border there has even been an infamous child obduction incident.

  • @eastfrisian_88
    @eastfrisian_88 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I really love your videos, they're exciting and I learn so many new things! The calmer atmosphere, your personal insights, the great editing, and the overall quality of the videos are top-notch! I hope and wish that you'll have many more subscribers soon, you deserve it! Thank you so much for your videos!

  • @Squimple
    @Squimple 11 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I caught the train from Bialystok to Kaunas in June, crossing through the Sulwalki gap was strange, such as armed guards at the stations either side, it was a little unnerving just going by train from one EU country to another. Thanks for the video!

  • @idnwiw
    @idnwiw 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +11

    This could be solved by acknowledging that Königsberg is Czech territory

  • @Matti_us_Alpe
    @Matti_us_Alpe 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

    It is not because of the bill from last year. This prohibition of taking pictures is particular to this region and has been there for years. You are allowed to photograph the fence, you are not allowed to take pictures of the other (Russian) side.

  • @stefanhogas2414
    @stefanhogas2414 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +6

    Thanks

  • @DonHavjuan
    @DonHavjuan 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Thanks I'll put this area on my to-visit list.

  • @EA00000
    @EA00000 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Brilliant film Matthias 👏 love the look of Polish village like fairly tale !

  • @pioko17
    @pioko17 25 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Toller Film! Du sprichst den Namen Szczurkowo sehr gut aus für jemanden, der kein Polnisch spricht. Auf Deutsch würde Szczurkowo so ausgesprochen werden: Sch-tsch-urkowo. :)

  • @testcardsandmore1231
    @testcardsandmore1231 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Very interesting. Thank you!

  • @danielf9968
    @danielf9968 11 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Hey Matthias. I guess most of your viewers are from Germany? Like with many videos where Germans or german Americans talk about German stuff?
    I really like your videos. Also the documentary ones, like about Suwalki. I gave you a sub. Best wishes :)
    - you seem to use „what the heck“ once in every video. ;)

  • @gabrielasimmons2401
    @gabrielasimmons2401 14 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Lieber Matthias, wie immer ein sehr interessantes Video. Wieder etwas dazu gelernt. Mein Vater musste als Kind aus Königsberg fliehen. Jetzt habe ich eine bessere Vorstellung.

  • @mokisan
    @mokisan 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Thanks for the indepth video

  • @creosl
    @creosl 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Things have changed since my travels to Kaliningrad. Last time I was here was when I still could travel to Ukraine and Crimera.

    • @amduser86
      @amduser86 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      you still can. if you should, that is another story.

  • @SomewhatSinny
    @SomewhatSinny 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I had no clue about this area until this video, very interesting stuff! I had recently watched another video about Narva and its border situation with Russia there, not sure if that is something you might also make a video about?

  • @schr4nztech
    @schr4nztech 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Tnx for an effort bro

  • @johntrotter8678
    @johntrotter8678 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Excellent history/current events story.

  • @guren3026
    @guren3026 25 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    If you look at the Google street view at the Vištytis border, you can find that dog!

  • @Ruben-Ramone
    @Ruben-Ramone 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Excellent video

  • @robsx4280
    @robsx4280 25 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Really interesting thank you

  • @az55544
    @az55544 18 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Why no homage to the stunning cobblestone streets? When were they installed? Who keeps them up? Do they frost heave in winter?
    Missed opportunity.

  • @tallguy6055
    @tallguy6055 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +5

    This is like the former Fulda Gap threat that used to exist in West Germany with the Soviet Union back in the cold war. Yes on paper it looks like a great strategic military move but back with the Fulda gap we found after the fall of the Berlin wall that the Soviet Union was overly optimistic about their invasion timelines to reaching objectives after plowing through the Fulda Gap. Had they ever made that move their invasion would have missed critical timelines and more than likely stalled or collapsed. Even Soviet military leaders back in the Cold War left the impression that they had to achieve their military objectives within a few weeks to present a fait accompli and sue for peace as they could not withstand a prolonged NATO counter-attack. So in my view the video is correct about the stratgeic corridor but highly unlikely beyond just loose talk that Belorus or Russia would attempt anything military here.

  • @theoryianabsolute8777
    @theoryianabsolute8777 25 วันที่ผ่านมา

    There is a way to put it, it can be fascinating, scary for example

  • @MrMainA
    @MrMainA 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

    More videos about Lithuania, please!

  • @amadeosendiulo2137
    @amadeosendiulo2137 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +8

    The law regarding photographing strategic objects in Poland is in power only in theory. It requires the object to have sings made according to an approved description. None description of a sign was approved, therefore the law cannot be enforced. Everyone can film from public soaces and you just have to censor personal information and faces if you want to publish the video. (There are some exceptions for journalist) Also, a lot of Poles don't know that it's actually legal to publish licence plates as they're not personal data.
    Sadly, if you film a strategic object, you can get arrested unlawfully because a lot of police officers don't know the law.

    • @marektln
      @marektln 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      There is another stupid law by local government in Poland. You can film Polish side of the border, but you cannot film Russian area in the same time. There is Border Fan channel, and he's been told about it by Polish Border Guards

  • @simonrobbins8357
    @simonrobbins8357 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    How times have changed. You obviously can’t build a fence directly on the border, it is usually on one side or the other. It looks like the fences were on the Polish/Lithuanian side of the border, not the Russian side.
    When I was 15 in 1979, I went to the border near Bad Harzburg between BRD and DDR. There all the fences were definitely on the other side and you could easily cross the border. Of course our teachers told us that that was absolutely forbidden and not to do it under any circumstances. They really should learn that if you say that to a group of 15 year-old boys that’s the first thing they’re going to do.😂 especially when there’s some girls watching and they’re trying to impress😂😂. I ran about 5 metres into the DDR, made some rude signs at the guards in the tower and then ran back to the west😮

    • @eybaza6018
      @eybaza6018 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

      You had the balls back,I would've probably done the same if there were pretty girls on the other side. Respect from Poland

  • @boumer7
    @boumer7 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

    Спасибо. Хорошее видео

  • @NLvideomaster
    @NLvideomaster 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I mean... can someone tell me why... in both instances @13:00 they have a moving barrier that leads... nowhere? I never understand these haha

  • @ljront3126
    @ljront3126 25 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I think, the Independence of countries in eastern Europe is mostly important, because they need to work together and maintain relationships among themselves, in order to develop. Russia is a wonderful country, who should cherish the diplomacy with west countries, because living in free zones is a valuable life-resource. Under peace you may gain the Quality, you seek. The uniqueness of diplomacy is the ability to progress by no discrimination.

  • @dainiusm5436
    @dainiusm5436 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Lithuania, (Vištytis)👍, (Kybartai) 👍, (Kudirkos Naumiestis) 👍 I recommend visiting the border.

    • @RichieLarpa
      @RichieLarpa 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Planavau važiuoti į Kudirkos Naumiestį, bet mano planas nepavyko. Vištytis būtų geriau nei nieko, tuo atveju tai rimtai ypatinga vieta. Sveiki iš Čekijos!

  • @Teapode
    @Teapode 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    🐟 doesn`t care anymore 😃

  • @KLWNEWS
    @KLWNEWS 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +5

    Are you aware of all the Russian, and Belarus troops currently stacking up on the boarder?

    • @gl4ce
      @gl4ce 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@KLWNEWSThere are no "troops currently stacking up" on that border. They're all being fed by Putin into the Ukrainian meat grinder and Belarus itself barely even has an army

    • @marektln
      @marektln 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

      There are no roads in Suwalki gap, connecting Belarus and Konigsberg, and the area is swampy. If Russia want to connect its exclave to Belarus they will try to occupy all Lithuania.

    • @filipek124
      @filipek124 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

      To znaczy że na Ukrainie nie ma juz Rosjan?🤣🤣

  • @rafalkduk
    @rafalkduk 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Very good video but.. U didn't show PL/Bielorus border and didn't mention about hybrid warfare against Poland and all EU/NATO, I mean illegal migrants problem created by Bielorus.

    • @MatthiasSchwarzerEnglish
      @MatthiasSchwarzerEnglish  19 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I did. Watch again from 28:45.
      And there will be another video about the Belarusian border soon.

  • @JanLarssonfred
    @JanLarssonfred 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +6

    I Hate Mordor!!! (Mordor=country formerly known as russia)
    Thanks for video!!

  • @stefanfixar
    @stefanfixar 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

    👌👌

  • @I_am_not_pewdiepie
    @I_am_not_pewdiepie 11 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Here before a million

  • @beorlingo
    @beorlingo 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Are you the Pippi guy?

    • @MatthiasSchwarzerEnglish
      @MatthiasSchwarzerEnglish  25 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I think so. 😀 You can find my filming location tours on my channel @film.safari which is also linked in my profile.

  • @kauliukzmogis
    @kauliukzmogis 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I was non actively following your channel and suddenly you are sitting in a "sodyba" in my country and eating some multinational fish.
    This region is weird. LT/PL/BY triangle might be even weirder. And the LT/PL history is confusing as hell. From first democracy (debatable) in the world to total fall. By the way, do you know what was one of the reasons that distroyed PL/LT comonwelth? VETO! What EU has in common?..

  • @AML-FRL
    @AML-FRL 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

    👍👍👍

  • @andrewwoodgate3769
    @andrewwoodgate3769 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Reminiscent of the DDR border

  • @dainiusm5436
    @dainiusm5436 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

    19:55 Vištytis (LT), 22:34 russia 📢 🥷 😅😅😅

  • @Pidalin
    @Pidalin 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Lukashenko and Putin are getting old, we just have to wait, I hope one day, even Kaliningrad will return to Europe or at least they get independence if not joining Poland or Lithuania.

    • @ГеннадийСеднев-м3щ
      @ГеннадийСеднев-м3щ 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

      Не мечтай Калининград регион навсегда русский

    • @lioneldemun6033
      @lioneldemun6033 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Are you joking ? Konigsberg was German neither Polish nor Lithuanian

    • @Adam_Malcher
      @Adam_Malcher 25 วันที่ผ่านมา

      What for? If Kralovec wants to be independent then is up to its citizens to decide their fate. Living in North Korea 2.0 will make think of your own way.

    • @oskarsrode2167
      @oskarsrode2167 23 วันที่ผ่านมา

      ​Stealing it doesn't make it yours.

  • @ТимофейЧерников-щ2х
    @ТимофейЧерников-щ2х 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    So Lithuania became independent to build it's own iron curtain. Genius move

    • @oskarsrode2167
      @oskarsrode2167 23 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Yeah, cause they don't want to be occupied again by your genocidal rapist army.

  • @neutrino1011
    @neutrino1011 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Szczurkowo is the ratty place

    • @dainiusm5436
      @dainiusm5436 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

      😀😀😀

    • @lordwiadro83
      @lordwiadro83 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@neutrino1011 It doesn't look that bad for a God forgotten village.

    • @eybaza6018
      @eybaza6018 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      Kocham dziwne nazwy miejscowości. Dodają uroku Polsce

  • @SuperYankis
    @SuperYankis 25 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    greetings to Germany from Lithuania!