Baltics (World of Imperial Russian Glory)

Grand Principality of the Baltics Великое Kняжество Прибалтики Velikoye Knyazhestvo Pribaltiki
Motto:  "Море и рыцарство, земля благородства" "More i rytsarstvo, zemlya blagorodstva" (English: "Seas and Knighthood, Land of Nobility")
Capital		Novoalexandrovsk
Official languages		Russian (lingua franca)
Principality/ governorate-level official languages		Estonian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Latgalian, German, Polish
Government		Constitutional monarchy
-	Grand Prince	Vassily I Maximovich
-	Chairman General	Boris von Pfeiffer (DNP)
-	Vice Chairperson	Mila Õunapuu (DSP)
Population
-	census	11,999,156

The Grand Principality of the Baltics (Russian: Великое Kняжество Прибалтики, Velikoye Knyazhestvo Pribaltiki) is one of Russia's grand principalities, bordering Finland to the north, Belarus and Poland the south, and bordering the Moscow and Northwest Russia Grand Duchies to the south.

The Grand Principality is unique in that it is the only territory in Russia that is predominantly non-Orthodox Christian, and has been considered to the likes of a "holy land" namely in that all three major branches of Christianity - Protestantism (via Lutheranism), Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy can be found.

The Grand Principality, also known as the "land of nobilities" is also unique for its historical association and presence of the Baltic German nobilitiy, as well as Russian and Polish nobilities, who played a large-scale role in bringing Cyril I Vladimirovich to succeed his cousin Nicholas II as the Tsar of Russia, and played a role in helping the White Movement and the monarchists gain victory over the communists and Leftists in the wake of the fall of the Weimar Republic, to which many Baltic Germans had attempted to form an alliance with its predecessor, the German Empire. On the political and social flip-side, the Baltics is also one of Russia's most socially progressive regions.

The Baltics is one of Russia's wealthiest regions, largest defenders of the Tsar and most progressive grand principality all at the same time. As a result, it has been considered one of the Russia's Best Places to Live In. Thanks to the influence of Lutheranism and both the native Baltic population, and Baltic German nobility, the region as one of the highest cultural ties to the neighboring Poland and Germany, where German is spoken almost as much as Russian, and many of the Lutheran peoples prefer speaking German as a second language over Russian.

Background

The impetus for the creation of a united Baltic principality was taken straight from the original Imperial German plans to create a pro-German United Baltic Duchy, only one that would be loyal to the Tsar. This was part of Grand Duke Cyril I Vladimirovich's goal to re-unite the peoples of the Russian Empire, and bring the Baltics back under Russian sway.

History

1920-1941: Independence

In the 1920s, a fraction of the Baltic German nobility remained in Russia, since the majority of their brethren had sided with the enemy Kaiserdom. Prince Anatol von Lieven supported Russian re-annexation, as he was undergoing threats of the confiscation of his property. Paul von Rennenkampf too, supported Russian-annexation. However, because of the presence of Estonian Volunteers for the White Army, Cyril I had his hands tied, and didn't attempt to retake the Baltics, as he felt it would be backstab.

The Baltic republics' peoples supported independence and became republics. Many of the nobility and royalties became victims of having their properiest confiscated. Therefore in order to reach a balance of solutions, many of the Baltic German princes and nobilities went to go live in Tsarytsin as exiles - which was the only German-friendly city due to the presence of Volga Germans. Tsarytsin became a "Second Saint Petersburg".

By 1921, Paul von Rennenkmpf was ennobled from just an Edler and the Rennenkampfs still in Russia, now princes and princesses of mixed Lutheran and Orthodox factions, became the princely House of Rennenkampf, based in Taganrog as well as Tsarytsin. He would coordinate the migration of the Baltic German nobility into Russia as the new Baltic republics were hostile.

World War II

Members of the 3rd Baltic Division of the Royal Russian Forces, training with Finnish Volunteers for the upcoming Manchuria Offensive, circa 1942

During the outbreak of the Second World War, both the Baltic countries and the Russians feared an invasion from the other, leading both to station and amass troops near their borders. In a knee-jerk reaction, the Baltic countries joined Nazi Germany and the Axis, becoming part of the Reichkommissariat Ostlant. Only in 1942 did the Baltic countries learn that Russia never had any plans on invading them.

The Russian Northern Front would face the troops from the Baltics. In 1944, the Russians reversed the invasion, and the Baltic German nobilities saw this as the perfect oppurtunity to reclaim their properties. The Baltic Operation (Балтийская операция, Baltiyskaya operatsiya) ended up in a complete Russian re-occupation of the Baltics.

Cold War

During the Cold War, the Baltic German nobility was returned, severe repercussions were enacted against the Baltic peoples, especially Lithuania who recieved the worst, which experienced one of the largest ethnic cleansing pogroms in the post Cold War. The native Baltic peoples became Russified, with a law passed in 1948 mandating that all people adopt Russian names, and newborns are given Russian names. Many native Baltic peopless were deported to Poland, Russia's ally due to its Catholic heritage or perhaps the United States or East Germany and West Germany due to the Protestant heritage in the case of Estonians and Latvians. These continued well into 1970s, up until Russians made up the majority of the population, in which they do today. The Lithuanian Government-in-Exile, Estonian Government-in-Exile and Latvian Government-in-Exile was set up in London, and later Washington D.C. The Russian government re-opened Lithuania for migration, however, the majority of Lithuanians chose not to take advantage of the opportunity.

The spiritual bribery against non-Orthodox to become Orthodox was non-existent in Courland and Livonia, whereas it managed to convert 45% of ethnic Lithuanians not deported to the Eastern Orthodox faith.  

The fish industry, and local fancy cuisine of the Baltic peoples made it a common place for tourism, among Russian nationals and foreigners. However, because of the German-friendly environment. Like in the past, migration was opened towards Prussians, an ally of Russia where Baltic German communities again grew and dominated Russian elite life like in the past. Many of these Baltic Germans became skilled engineers and inventors, where the Baltics emerged as one of the tech capitals of the modern Russian Empire.

Unlike the Baltic Germans of old, the Baltic Germans of the Cold War (as well as modern era) were very modern-minded, with many helping develop the new districts of Moscow, post-war Port Arthur, Kharbin and Saint Petersburg. The manorial lifestyle of the Old Baltic Germans became more of a historical culture and a stereotype.

1990s - Local Civil War

Main article: Baltic War of Independence

In the 1980s, Russian crackdowns against supposed "Western agents" caused separatist movements to again flared in the Baltics, as did everywhere in the non ethnic Russian regions. Like in the past, the Baltic German nobility and elite sided with the Russian state due to the previous oaths they signed during the Interwar Period and World War II, even attempts from separatists to place them in positions of power once independence was achieved failed.

The Baltic Naval incident, in which Nastoychivy-destroyers being operated by anti-government rebels, fired on fellow Russian navalmen, resulting in an in-fighting between the Baltic Fleet of the Imperial Russian Navy. The ensuing damaged resulted in the destruction and damage of 5 Nastoychivy destroyers, and the death of 54 personnel. The Yaroslav Mudry frigate also took some damage. This caused the Russian government leaders, who were making plans to peacefully grant the Baltic nations their independence, to call off all talks about independence, and to order forces to hold the Baltics.

In 1992, when news about Germany's reunification, and Russia's recognition of Belarusian and Ukrainian independence became public, all bets were off, and the Baltic armed rebels waged war against the Russian government, and "all Russian collaborators". The United Baltic Army Group or the UBAG, led by ???? proclaimed that the new unified German state would become powerful again, form a neo-Nazi empire and help the Baltics gain independence from the Russians. However, the reality was that while the new unified German state sided with the West, did not want anything to do with neo-Nazism, as the overwhelming majority of the German Parliament was ruled by liberals and progressive-conservatives. The UBAG used Nazi symbology, and proclaimed in a new unified Baltic empire sharing the borders of the Old Reichkomissariat Ostland. Soon, even the peaceful pro-independence groups became targets, as the UBAG labeled them "cowards" and controlled opposition.

The Western powers lost their sympathies, when citizens, an diplomats from the Western countries in the Baltics became victim to the UBAG, who demanded that the new German unified state honor Adolf Hitler, and bring back both the Nazi state and the Reich of old. UBAG supporters in Germany began to threaten government officials, and the UBAG stated that it would not hesitate to wage war against both NATO and Russia alike. The extremities of their activities caused both NATO and Russia to turn against them, and while NATO stated, "We will have our way with Moscow when the time comes, but for now, we are ready to assist Moscow in handling these terrorists." Therefore, a begrudging cooperation between NATO and Russia over the Baltic question ensued. In addition, the Russians also warned NATO that they would intentionally allow the Baltics to fall under the hands of neo-Nazi extremists, if NATO didn't step away and continued to meddle in Russian politics. After NATO leaders begrudgingly agreed, the Baltic Agreement was signed.

In spite of the out-of-control activities of the native Baltic rebels, the Baltic Germans and Russians were better-prepared, and had already stockpiled on arms ever in-case something like this were to happen, therefore resulting in a technological superiority over the Baltic rebels. The two had formed the Knights of the Baltics (Рыцари Прибалтики), a Teutonic Knights-influenced monarchist group. The pro-government forces of the Baltics were unique in that they did not rely on the state military to maintain order, although evidence has shown of Russian officers giving arms to pro-government forces.

In 1994, after the ascent of Wassily Felgenhauer as the Generalissmus of Russia, the civil war-torn Baltics had already been under pro-government forces, leading General Felghenhauer to simply reinforce the Baltics with troops. In the 1996 Baltic Offensive, the deadliest episode of fighting between pro and anti-government forces, the Russians and pro-Russian paramilitary emerged victorious over the separatists.

Fearing more cultural reprisals, the pro-rebel groups of the Baltics began to flee, to nearby Finland. The Finnish government however, extradited them back to Russia to face trial, a move heavily condemned by the United States. Many others fled simply out of fears of reprisals, to which the Finnish government accepted.

The nail on the coffin for the independence movement however, was the criminal and banditry and neo-Nazism committed by the UBAG, who raided television stations, businesses and others. In spite of media portraying the Russian and Baltic Germans as abusive and tyrannical, they seized churches as shelters and schools for displaced citizens. Even businesses owned by the native Baltic peoples were ransacked, attacked and looted by the rebels, and natives we weren't housed in a government shelter fell prone to rapes, kidnappings and randoms by mafia-like separatist groups, eliminating most, if not all native support for the rebels.

NATO announced the removal of all sympathies for the separatists when several American diplomats were killed in Riga by rebels, when the diplomats told the rebels they spoke only Russian and English. Therefore, NATO left the rebels to the mercy of the Russian military forces (this is how Russia keeps the Baltics). Many American tourists were also robbed, in which the U.S. travel advisory issued a travel ban against the Baltics (as well as the Caucasus), but permitted travel elsewhere in Russia.

The Kremlin warned NATO that they would allow the rebels to wreak havoc and "have their freedom" if NATO didn't disavow all of its involvement against Russian foreign policy. Therefore, NATO complied, and Russian troops safely evacuated diplomats from Western European nations, as well as Canada and the United States.

With the government having support from the native Baltic peoples, Tsaritsa Maria I Vladimirovna did not enact cultural repressions against the native Baltic peoples, however she did enact surveillance policies on non-Russian language material, but never banned it. The Baltics still underwent martial law, and native Baltic peoples were de facto banned from serving in the Russian Navy, due to the Baltic Naval Incident and the large amount of rogue former Imperial Army officers. Although no legislation was ever passed, evidently, the Russian Navy denied applications from anyone of native Baltic descent. As a token of her peace overtures, she granted nobility status to native Baltic generals and leaders who sided with the Russian state.

The 1998 Moscow Accord, which was supposed to be signed in a Baltic city, replaced the Orthodox Grand Duchy, with an autonomous Lutheran Grand Principality.

The UBAG was estimated to have wrought over ₽1.4 million worth of damage and became the second-most affected region in Russia of the 1990s, after the Caucasus, which fell victim to a seperatist movement that wrought over ₽3.4 million worth of damage.

Post-1990s

After the Tumultuous 1990s, Russia opened up to the West. In orders to save its economy, via Baltic economic wealth, the Stavka allowed the Baltics to became a have of progressivism and European Union-style political and social life. It became known as the "European Union Within Russia" (Европейский союз в России). Both Russia and the Western powers agreed that Moscow will allow democratic institutions to operate in the Baltics, the West would not fund any separatist movements and will assist Russia in the post-civil war recovery process.

The Baltics was side of many pro-Europeanist protests, wanting Russia and Finland to become integrated into the European Union. Of the countries that did local business with the Baltics, was Germany - where many German immigrants continued to form part of the Baltic German community, the wealthier ones joining the military and becoming part of the Baltic German nobility. This "third generation" of Baltic Germans was nearly unrecognizable from the old generation, as many no longer held the extremist ultra-conservative beliefs of the old, their mean concern was simply forming wealthy communities and paying taxes to the Russian state.

There was one point where it became the wealthiest region in all of Russia, from 2007 to 2013, and the progressive policies attracted immigrants from elsewhere around the country and the world, attracting German, British, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Canadian and even American investments. The Baroque architecture of Vilnius in Lithuania attracts many Italians, and people from the Latin-speaking world, as well as Hungarians, Yugoslavs (Croatians), and Austrians via ties with the Catholic church.

On another whim, the presence and culture of the Baltic German nobility and the Teutonic Knights also made it a dual-image of being home to ultra-conservative Tsarists.

Culture

The Baltics is one of Russia's most multi-cultural regions. A haven of Western culture within Russia, the Baltics is known for its various Christkindle events, something of German influence, via the Baltic German community. The Baltics is known for its "Four Seasons Markets", offering bazaars towards various major holidays, namely Christmas, Easter according to the Gregorian calendar.

Language

While Russian is the sole national lingua franca, each principality dictates their own official/co-official to Russian, namely Estonian, Latvian, Latgalian and Lithuanian, German and Polish - which are confined to each of their respective principalities. Estonian is native to Courland, Latvian and Latgalian are native to Livonia and Lithuanian is native to Lithuania. German is co-official in the predominantly-Lutheran principalities of Courland and Livonia, while Polish is co-official in Lithuania. This is due to the Baltic German and Lithuanian Polish population, with the former having been extremely influential in Imperial Russian history.

The Russian government currently gives the Grand Principality, as well as the Principalities within it the right to have publicly-sponsored television programs in their respective languages. The Königlich Tele-Baltisch, currently owned by Prince Joseph I Frensisovich of Livonia, or RTB (officially "РТБ" in Cyrillic) is a German-language news station across the Baltics. The Royal Baltic Tele-Station 24/7, the national news and media station across the Baltics, or РТБС 24/7, also has a German-language program.

Religion

The Baltics is often-known as a "Russian Jerusalem" (Русский Иерусалим) and Israel of Russia (Израиль России), largely owing to the diverse religious heritage of the region, although Christian that is. It is the only region where the three major branches of Christianity: Catholicism, Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy can be found predominating the region side-by-side. However, it also known to be one of the most religiously-liberal, especially among the Lutheran population, who are nominally and culturally Christian, but secular in lifestyle. In a response to the Royal Statistical Survey, 60.6% of respondents claimed that they only attend church services less than 3 times per month, but defiantly on major Christian holidays, while religion is an important part of their cultural identity, aren't really devoted to their faith. This was especially high for the Lutheran population with 95% expressing secular views with a Lutheran identity, and 80.5% of Russian Orthodox answering that religion is very important to them, and plays a heavy role in their lives with heavy attendance in mass.

Via cultural autonomy laws, Lutheran and Catholic traditions are publicized alongside Orthodox. The Lutherans are represented mainly by two organizations: the Baltic Lutheran Association (Балтийская лютеранская ассоциация) and the broader National Imperial Association for the Lutheran Community of Russia (Национальная имперская ассоциация лютеранской общины России), seeking to protect the rights of Lutherans in Russia.

Protestants, via Lutherans, predominate Courland and Livonia, while Roman Catholics can be found in Lithuania, Eastern Orthodox are the majority in the latter.

Currently, 70% is Lutheran, 20% Eastern Orthodox, 5% Roman Catholic, 4% irreligious, and 1% others.

Relations between the three had nominally been adverse, however great efforts have been made to keep the three Christian communities united. The Knights of the Baltics, a religious and ultra-monarchist organization formed during the Tumultuous 1990s, is based off of the Teutonic Knights, however unlike the original, which was a Lutheran organization with Catholic off-shoots, all Christians are welcome. In 2005, the Orthodox-Lutheran-Catholic Holy Union of the Baltics (Православно-лютеранско-католический Святой Союз Балтии) was formed.

Judaism forms the fourth-largest religious. However, relations between Jews and their non-Jewish counterparts has been extremely adverse, with the Christian citizens often-not seeing Jews as one of the "four evils" that have threatened the Russian state, with the two others being Muslim Turks, secularists and anti-monarchists.

Interethnic relations

In spite of the seemingly positive relations, the Baltics has been plagued by issues of interethnic relations, namely between the native Baltic peoples, Baltic Germans and ethnic Russians, with the two historically having been considered the elite and highly politically-favored group. Ever since the days of Tsar Cyril the Reformer, there have been attempts to reconcile the ethnic groups.

However, with the rates of emigration of the native Estonian and Latvian population to Germany, or the migration of Lithuanians to Poland, Germany, Argentina or Italy, this has stalled chances for full-reconciliation. Those native Baltic peoples who migrated to Germany (or Catholic nations for the Lithuanians) stated cultural reasons as their motive for migrating, most stated having adverse views against the Russians and Orthodox, and while appreciative of reconciliation attempts, feel that being in Germany or a predominantly-Catholic nation gives them a sense of cultural independence and belonging.

However, many have also become dual citizens, many being Russian-language professors and translators in their respective new host nations.

Society

In spite of the Baltic German nobility being ultra-conservative and ultra-Tsarist, the Baltics is considered one of the Russian Empire's most progressive societies. Much of the ultra-conservative "image" of the Baltic German nobility has become mere tradition, with many of even the Baltic German nobility have embraced progressive-conservativism. Despite the local Senate being rather ultra-conservative and members of the Nationalist Front, their influence is heavily offeset, even overpowered by the leftist and progressive-conservative-dominated Assembly. Enlightenment ideas are heavily promoted in the Baltics. The Democratic Socialists have been the most instrumental political force in the Baltics. Baltic politicians championed the idea of universal healthcare and even women's suffrage in Russia, which are at an all-time high in the Baltics.

The Baltics has consistently ranked one of the Top Places to Live in Russia, offering the best qualities of life.

Demographics

Currently, native Baltic peoples comprise 43.6% of the total populations, while Russians comprise 40%. Germans comprise of the third-largest population, 10% of the total population, followed by Jews, Poles and Finns but not limited to those, they are classified as "Others".

Political administrations

The Grand Principality is divided into three lesser principalities, equitable to a Governorate. The three principalities are Courland (Estonia), Livonia (Latvia) and Lithuania.

The Baltics contain a heavy concentration of nobilities, of not only Baltic German, but also of Lithuanian and Russian nobilities - which in of themselves, were from Polish and even Ruthenian in origin, and likewise, many Russian nobilities are of Lithuanian origin. The House of Lieven are currently the ruling princes of the Baltics, and are honored in both Baltic German and Russian noble traditions, while the House of Goltsin rules Lithuania.

Like the rest of Russia, the Baltics is a local constitutional monarchy, with the Tsar at the utmost top of the hierarchy. The Baltics has its own traditions of nobility. However like Grand Duchies, Chairman Generals and Vice Chairmans are those who truly wield civil and military powers.

Military

The Baltics current form part of Russia's Northwestern Command, and is one of the most important for the Russian Navy. The ports of the Baltics is used by Russian naval and merchant ships alike as a gateway to Western Europe. As a result, the Baltics is often known as Russia's "Gateway to the West" (Ворота на запад).

The 1st and 2nd Baltic Fleets of the Russian Navy call the ports of the Baltic their home. It is a home to many joint-international naval exercises between the navies of Russia, Finland, Germany and Poland. Prior to the re-establishing of alliances between the Russia and the neighboring countries, it was a source of contention and near-confrontation between the navies of Russia and the neighboring countries, up until the 2010 Baltic Treaty.

Ties to Germany

Ever since the establishment of the Baltic German nobility as the predominant rulers of the Baltics, the Grand Principality has been regraded as the "Gateway between Russia and Germany" (Russian: Ворота между Россией и Германией, German: Tor zwischen Russland und Deutschland). Baltic German princes have found ease and convenience of marrying princesses from Germany proper, where the Hohenzollerns - the ruling nobility of the German Empire, have established deep ties with the Baltic German nobility.

In addition, many tourists and expatriates from the Germany have a large preference towards the Baltics.

However, thanks to their non-nobility status, the reality is the Overseas German is often separated from the Baltic German nobility, making the "German image" of the Baltic as a whole, a mere stereotype, The Romanov Analytical Center, the Russian Empire's de facto national think-tank and research company, found that rarely do the Baltic German nobility ever come into contact with regular Overseas Germans, and those working for Baltic German-owned companies have reported their direct superiors and employers speak only Russian, and/or a native Baltic language, despite the visual usage of German alongside Russian.

Another 95% stated never coming into contact with a Baltic German.

The situation however has vastly different in the Volga Principality, because the majority of Volga Germans are non-nobility, many Overseas Germans have been able to successfully communicate.

Many of the Overseas Russians in Germany aren't truly ethnic Russians, but either Baltic Germans or native Baltic peoples, who feel a strong cultural connection to Germany via Lutheranism, or Catholicism - in the case of Lithuanians.

Many of the young Lutherans, of Estonian or Latvian ethnicity stated they prefer learning German as a second language over Russian, and the wealthier ones have attended German-speaking schools in the Baltics.

However in spite of this, the Baltic German nobility have reiterated that they are against the notion of any rebellion against the Empress of all Russia, and stating that their patriotism is to the Russian state, and are loyal citizens and subjects to the Empress. All of the Baltic German houses are members of the Great Royal Brotherhood, a confederation of nobilities who swore an oath to protect the Romanovs. In addition, Imperial German leaders have also rejected any requests to get involved in anti-Tsarist activities, stating that it was ultimately the Tsar who helped Germany become what she is. The Baltic German nobility however stated that they would become Imperial German allies or vassals, if, and only if the Romanovs approve.

Kaiser George I stated, "This is no longer World War I or the 1800s, our two Nations [Germany and Russia] are no longer enemies, we must work together to combat the works of those wanting to overthrow our monarchies, I wish nothing more than to do my part in helping my Russian counterparts do the same for their monarchy, since I must remember, it is the Romanovs who helped my people become the great global empire that she is."

Education

• Grand All-Estonian University of Tallinn (Estonian: Suur üle-eestiline Tallinna Ülikool, Russian: Большой Всеэстонский Таллиннский Университет, Bol'shoy Vseestonskiy Tallinnskiy Universitet, German: Große Allestnische Universität Tallinn)
• Grand Royal University of Tallinn (Russian: Большой Королевский университет Таллинна, Estonian: Suur Kuninglik Tallinna Ülikool, German: Große Königliche Universität Tallinn)
• Teutonic Knights Royal Polytechnic of Tallinn (Russian: Таллиннский Королевский политехнический институт ордена тевтонских рыцарей, German: Deutschordensritter Königliches Polytechnikum von Tallinn, Estonian: Tallinna Saksa Rüütlite Kuninglik Polütehnikum) - prestigious Baltic German-funded private university of the arts and business
• Grand All-Finnish University of Tallinn (Finnish: Tallinnan suuri kokosuomalainen yliopisto; Russian: Большой Всефинский Таллиннский Университет, Bol'shoy Vsefinskiy Tallinnskiy Universitet) - prestigious university catered towards the Finnish community
• United Estonian-Finnish University (Estonian: Ühendatud Soome-Eesti Ülikool; Finnish: Yhtenäinen suomi-viro-yliopisto; Russian: Объединенный финско-эстонский университет, Ob"yedinennyy finsko-estonskiy universitet), a joint Estonian-Finnish oriented liberal arts school, established as a result of Estonian and Finnish being related
• University of Livonia (Russian: Университет Ливонии; Latvian: Livonijas Universitāte, German: Universität von Livland)
• Riga Grand Royal University (Russian: Рижский Большой Королевский Университет, Latvian: Rīgas Lielā Karaliskā universitāte, German: Große Königliche Universität Riga), OTL: Riga Technical School, the first polytechnic in Russia, one of the Russia's most important universities of engineering, chemistry, and the applied sciences
• German University of Riga (German: Deutsche Universität Riga, Russian: Немецкий университет в Риге, Latvian: Rīgas vācu universitāte) - private university catered towards German-speaking overseas in Russia, most of its students are Baltic Germans or Overseas Germans
• Baltic St. Paul Lutheran University (Russian: Балтийский лютеранский университет Святого Павла, German: Baltische St. Paul Lutherische Universität, Latvian: Baltijas Sv.Pāvila luterāņu universitāte) private university in the Latvian city of Riga, Baltic German and Lutheran-funded, private research university catering to Lutherans in Russia
• Royal Finnish College of Riga (Finnish: Riian kuninkaallinen Suomen korkeakoulu; Russian: Королевский финский колледж Риги, Korolevskiy finskiy kolledzh Rigi, German: Königlich Finnisches College in Riga, Latvian: Rīgas Somijas Karaliskā koledža) - college that caters to the Finnish community
• Grand Vilnus School of the Arts (OTL: National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art, Russian: Большая Вильнюсская школа искусств, Lithuanian: Диджиойи Вилниаус менų мокыкла) - 12-year prestigious school of the arts for gifted pupils, free of charge for citizens of the Principality of Lithuania but expensive for elsewhere in Russia, offers courses in both Russian and Lithuanian
• Polish University of Vilnus (Polish: Polski Uniwersytet Wileński, Russian: Польский университет Вильнюса), multi-faceted university catered towards Polish-speaking people in Russia, courses are exclusively Polish-speaking
• Grand Catholic University of Vilnus (Russian: Большой католический университет Вильнюса, Lithuanian: Вилниаус Дидысис Каталикų Университетас, Polish: Wielki Katolicki Uniwersytet Wileński)