Ahead of Russian Orthodox Christmas on January 7th, border crossings from Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave into Poland have seen a major increase as Russians living in the EU return home to celebrate.
This has led to frustration among ethnic Poles unable to freely cross due to European Union (EU) sanctions banning Russian-registered vehicles.
Between December 23rd to 27th, 17,014 people crossed into Poland at the border checkpoints of Bezledy and Grzechotki along with 4,998 vehicles, according to Poland’s Border Guard.
This vastly exceeds typical monthly crossing figures.
Cheap Flights Through Kaliningrad in Demand
With direct EU-Russia flights suspended following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kaliningrad and Turkey have become transit points for Russians traveling home.
Particularly for Russians in Germany, driving to Kaliningrad provides inexpensive onward travel.
As Russian website Klops.ru reported, “German-Russians leave their cars in long-term parking at Khrabrovo airport [in Kaliningrad] and from there they fly to Moscow or St Petersburg.”
EU Vehicles Freely Cross, Russian Vehicles Banned
While EU-registered vehicles can freely enter Poland from Kaliningrad, Poland banned Russian-registered vehicles in September under EU sanctions.
This prevents ethnic Poles living in Kaliningrad from visiting Poland without difficulty.
Witold Kowalczyk, a Pole in Kaliningrad, told Wirtualna Polska he hired a Lithuanian driver for €400 in December after being unable to drive his Russian-plated car.
Locals are petitioning Poland for an exemption to allow Polish citizens and Karta Polaka holders to drive Russian-registered vehicles.
Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded that while it recognizes the impact on Polish minorities, “since they hold citizenship of the country currently posing the greatest threats to international security, they must be subject to the same regulations as other citizens of Russia.”
Vast Majority Crossing Were Ethnic Russians
Per Wirtualna Polska, approximately 99% of those crossing in late December were Russians with EU visas or ethnic Germans.
Only 824 Polish nationals crossed during December 23rd to 27th out of over 17,000 total.
ETIAS Approval Could Enable More Border Crossings
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) goes into effect in May 2025.
Once launched, Russians with EU residency may have an easier time crossing into Poland if they obtain approved ETIAS applications beforehand.
ETIAS will require visa-exempt non-EU nationals to obtain travel authorization prior to entering the Schengen Area.
Approval is valid for three years and allows holders to enter Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
If permanent EU residents of Kaliningrad with Russian citizenship successfully apply for ETIAS, Poland may opt to allow their entry by car based on the pre-approved status.
This could alleviate the frustration of separated families while still restricting general Russian-registered vehicle traffic.
Schengen Area Policy Faces Pressure Regarding Kaliningrad
As ETIAS is implemented across the Schengen Area, the influx of Russians crossing from Kaliningrad will test the resolve of border policies meant to isolate Russia.
With Germany home to a substantial Russian population, political pressure may grow to craft accommodations for separated families.
However, Poland’s foreign ministry maintains EU sanctions apply equally to all Russian citizens regardless of ethnicity.
Time will tell whether other Schengen members push for more permeability at the Kaliningrad crossing specifically or seek consistently strict enforcement of visa and vehicle entry requirements.
Divide Persists Between EU and Non-EU Residents of Kaliningrad
The surge in border crossings over Christmas illustrates the divide in freedom of movement between EU and non-EU residents of Kaliningrad under sanctions banning Russian vehicles.
Ethnic Poles lament being unable to visit Poland while Russians with EU residency travel home freely.
With Russian Orthodox Christmas celebrations continuing, this issue will likely remain pronounced in the short term barring a change in policy.