Russia, not a popular country in the current era amidst all the happenings with Ukraine and the threats to other nations. Thankfully, this is a football article, so we don’t have to get into the weeds with all that. Instead, let’s focus on the Russian Premier League, which has just kicked off.

The league consists of the usual names, such as Zenit Saint Petersburg, Rubin Kazan and the Moscow clubs CSKA, Spartak and Lokomotiv. All clubs that have represented the country on the European stage.

A country that has produced some excellent players over the years. Yuri Zhirkov, Andrei Arshavin, and most notably Lev Yashin (The Black Spider), often regarded as the greatest goalkeeper of all time.

Kaliningrad

All that aside, we come to the topic of today’s article, FC Baltika Kaliningrad. Why are we looking at Baltika? The interesting concept of Baltika is that although they are Russian, they are uniquely over 650 kilometres away from Russia itself. The club is based in Kaliningrad, an exclave of Russia which was claimed at the end of World War 2.

A small sliver of land located between the borders of Poland and Lithuania along the Baltic Sea. Why does Russia have this area of land? Most significantly, Kaliningrad is a place of strategic importance. The land allows Russia access to an ice-free port on the Baltic Sea, enabling naval operations for the nation. Famously, the vast majority of Russia’s water access is frozen for most of the year, so Kaliningrad is one of the very few access points to water that Russia has.

Historically, the region was agreed to be transferred to the Soviet Union following the defeat of Germany in World War 2, which was in part of a large redrawing of borders and shifting of populations in Eastern Europe. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union was officially announced as a Russian exclave and has remained this way ever since.

FC Baltika

Switching attention to Baltika, it comes as a surprise that not much is written about the club. Often lingering between the top two divisions in Russia. Usually, a geographically unique club is reported on much more often. The likes of the Welsh clubs in England or even the island clubs like Las Palmas in Spain, but not much is said about Baltika.

A unique location brings with it the usual barriers for professional football. Mainly, travel. Every single away game, the team have to fly. With the high number of Moscow teams, this is usually around three hours each way. Thankfully for Baltika, FC SKA Khabarovsk are no longer in the Russian Premier League, although they are in the first division, so this fixture did occur last season. The most Easterly professional football team in Russia. A trip between the two clubs, including a layover in Moscow, most commonly, can take around 14-15 hours. A 7,000 kilometre journey each way for an away game.

*The Journey Between Baltika and Khabarovsk*

The Upcoming Season

What can we expect of Baltika in the coming season? Opening their campaign against Dynamo Moscow, a European competition regular, is not the easiest of opening games. However, Baltika have been up and down for several years now, they have made some signings which they hope will give them the firepower to once again compete in the Premier League. Notably, Nigerian Forward Tenton Yenne. The 25-year-old attacker shone last year for Ararat-Armenia in the Armenian Premier League, scoring 17 in 28 appearances and helping the club to a second-place finish.

Following Yenne to Baltika is fellow Nigerian Chinonso Offor. Another forward who has come in following a successful season at Bulgarian side Arda Kardzhali. Offor has had stints in the MLS, Latvia, and Belgium, so he comes in with plenty of experience.

A big talking point signing is that of centre back Aleksandr Filin. The 29-year-old joins Baltika on a three-year deal following a season at Khimki in the Russian Premier League. Khimki finished 12th last season, a respectable position; however, the Russian Football Union have not issued the club with a 2025-26 RPL license due to accumulated debts. The club has since dissolved, giving opportunities for clubs to sign players at no transfer cost.

Things are looking positive in the pre-season; the new signings aside, results have looked more than acceptable. A 2-1 away victory over Zenit Saint Petersburg at the start of July is hopefully something they can build on and take into the Premier League campaign.

Will Baltika have enough to stay above the relegation zone? Or will they challenge further up the table, perhaps even European places? It’s hard to tell. The signings look good on paper; however, can the Bulgarian League and Armenian League contain quality that can match the Russian Premier League? Let’s hope so. The club do have the advantage in every home game, with their opponents having to make long journeys into mainland Europe, although Baltika will have to do this on every away game. If Baltika can make their home a fortress, perhaps we can see a successful season for the club.

Written and Researched by BSc Cavan Campbell

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