Kaliningrad Votes To Join Czechia, According To People Joking On Twitter

Posters from the Czech Republic jokingly announced the annexation of the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad this week, mocking the undemocratic referendums recently carried out by Russian occupiers in eastern Ukraine.

After a stunning referendum where 102% of Kaliningrad oblast voted to join Czechia, we welcome the new region of Královec as a part of our republic. It is a natural correction of a great injustice considering our deep historical ties. #Kaliningrad pic.twitter.com/nWHwpzFdfs

— Kupradix 🇨🇿 (@kupradix) October 3, 2022

The amusing idea of Kaliningrad (Královec in Czech) being annexed to 🇨🇿 has really taken off in recent days! pic.twitter.com/rSGsBjjrO9

— Ian Willoughby (@Ian_Willoughby) October 4, 2022

Czechia, which does not border Kaliningrad, arguably has a historic claim to the territory through King Ottokar II of Bohemia, whom it was named after in 1255. By claiming the enclave in a fake referendum, the Czech posters are equating Russia's annexation of Luhansk, Donetsk and other regions with their obviously satirical annexation of Kaliningrad.

Some cited Elon Musk, who recently tweeted a controversial poll about referendums in the occupied parts of Ukraine, as an inspiration for the Kaliningrad annexation.

Rána v Benešově nad Baltem 🥰 pic.twitter.com/UUAYwe5cvD

— Námořnictvo České republiky (@BaltTweetuje) October 5, 2022

A referendum in Kaliningrad on joining Czechia, inspired by Elon Musk.
“Russia leaves Kaliningrad if that is will of the people.” https://t.co/ahun5SQrcf

— Russian Officers killed in Ukraine 🇨🇿🇺🇦 (@KilledInUkraine) October 5, 2022

Some posters, including some from NAFO, began deliberating about the complications that would ensue from the annexation, and the beer pipeline that would need to be constructed to supply the citizens of Královec (the new name of Kaliningrad) with the national drink.

Another poster made a 13-tweet thread about the problems of governing exclaves, and what the Czech Republic would need to consider with the new province.

Czech Republic starting Beer Stream 1 to ensure supply to new province of Královec (formerly Kaliningrad). Finally, a pipeline project that’s good for Europe pic.twitter.com/ZusZ4GJ7rn

— Paul Massaro (@apmassaro3) October 5, 2022

Vzhledem k jistému připojení Královeckého kraje k ČR je potřeba si uvědomit problémy, které jsou spojeny se správou exkláv. Pro ČR jde o novou zkušenost, a i proto si dovolím připojit pár poznámek, které se ČR mohou pro potřeby zdárného dokončení tohoto významného kroku hodit 🧵 pic.twitter.com/udekr65xO3

— Bohumil Doboš (@BohumilDobos) October 4, 2022

Others began to wonder how Czechia, a landlocked country, would build and deploy a navy. The United States embassy helpfully offered an aircraft carrier.

US Embassy proposes first Czech aircraft carrier to go along with new province of Kaliningrad. Logical https://t.co/YcLWS6VCrW

— Paul Massaro (@apmassaro3) October 5, 2022

(ex)Kaliningrad referendum said that 98,78% of people living there want to join Czechia! all hail Kralovec, new territory of Czech republic! release our nuclear submarines! #Czechia #Kralovec #NAFO pic.twitter.com/dpWDHBdM57

— Antičlověk (@anticlovek) October 5, 2022

A number of posters photoshopped fake tweets showing various world leaders like Volodymyr Zelensky and the Pope endorsing the annexation which did not happen.

Thank you Mr president @ZelenskyyUa to support our historical claims for Kralovec #Kaliningrad ! Referendum has shown the true will of local people. We re happy to drop down any visa requirements for Ukrainian people and give citizenship to local Russian minority pic.twitter.com/Q1bb3uXOnS

— Marek Bocanek (@BocanekMarek) October 5, 2022

The Pope blesses the new Czech province of Kaliningrad, now Královec. This is all moving so fast! pic.twitter.com/6A9ZOR3Oov

— Paul Massaro (@apmassaro3) October 5, 2022

A meme account claiming to represent the new province gained a massive amount of followers in a very short amount of time.

In less than 24 hours, 1.5 million impressions and 26 thousand followers. This clearly proves that Královec is Czechia. Thank you for your strong support! #KrálovecIsCzechia 🇨🇿https://t.co/KnUtG5AIQF pic.twitter.com/ttymtSxNCp

— Královec 🇨🇿 (@KralovecCzechia) October 5, 2022

Kaliningrad is a part of Russia because it was captured from Germany in World War II. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia held on to Kaliningrad in part because it is a warm water port that never freezes over. It is unknown if anything will happen to Kaliningrad under the Czech administration.