Since 1946 Kaliningrad has served as a trip wire in Russian defense strategy against aggression from [[Western Europe]]. Kaliningrad, which is separated from Russia proper, in Soviet and post-Soviet times as been described as the largest military base on the planet. | Since 1946 Kaliningrad has served as a trip wire in Russian defense strategy against aggression from [[Western Europe]]. Kaliningrad, which is separated from Russia proper, in Soviet and post-Soviet times as been described as the largest military base on the planet. |