Famous Russian Poles

The fact is, that Poland had never been great power, never through her whole history. And even in the period of her maximal ascent, in 17-th century, her policy directed from other capitals, being a faithful tool in the hands of papistry. So, do you think that you have a right to judge us?

Soviet Union is going to have special place in worlds history. Poland has much more diverse history than Russia. In 16th century we were the bigest military power in Europe. Later we had Golden Freedom, Later we had several wars ... later we had partitions, uprises, consipration, positivism etc...

Much more diveresed. I am great admirer of Polish positivism


/wiki/Positivism_in_Poland

There are parts of our history that I am not so proud of but I am sure some Poles love them more than positivism...

No Poles are mentioned by name and most probably not famous but I thought I would post it anyway.

I found this in a book (Poland The Knight among Nations – by Louis E. Van Norman written in 1907) that is out of copyright and had been scanned to the internet.

“In his first book on Siberia, George Kennan praised the Tzar for the progress and development he found in the southern part of that vast Asiatic realm. He did not then know that most of the civilising work he saw was due to the industry and culture of the Polish exiles sent across the Urals in the reign of the Empress Catherine. Poles have everywhere contributed to the advance of Russia. To serve the Empire officially in Poland would compromise a Pole's patriotism. But outside of the kingdom many Poles are in high positions. The vice-president of the Manchurian Railroad is a Pole. The leading civil and military engineers on the Siberian and Manchurian Railroads are Poles, as are also most of the directors of these roads. The directors of the Russo-Chinese Bank are Poles. Coal for the whole Siberian and Manchurian Railroad is furnished by Poles, who are owners of immense coal mines near Irkutsk. The chief of motive power of the railroad in Irkutsk is a Pole. The chief of the railroad works in Irkutsk also is a Pole. The Russians are wont to call Poland a burden, but it is a burden that has meant riches and industrial expansion to the Empire.”

No doubts about that. They've done a lot for current state of both Russia and the US... and many of them became part of Russians and Americans. I intentionally draw a parallel between Russia and the US since it's as hard to say who Russian is as to say who American is... and on the other hand we're two countries with two different historical policies.

I didn't forget about the thread and will post more as soon as I've got a minute. Thankfully there're lots of Russian Poles.


Where's the Kostia? There's he is.

Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovskiy (Polish: Konstanty Ksawerowicz Rokossowski , Russian: Рокоссо́вский Константи́н Константи́нович) (December 21 [O.S. December 9] 1896 - August 3, 1968) was a Soviet military commander and Polish Defense Minister.


/wiki/Konstantin_Rokossovsky

The Russian wiki says he was born in Velikie Luki.

This fact proves only one thing that Poles may be easily assimilated

...or Russians are the same ethnical mishmash as Americans are.

I never pretended on russian purity. Certainly we are the mix, but as we say "our strength is in swims". Many nations were melt together in Russians.

The difference between Russians and Poles is superficial in my opinion,not very hardcore but important.

Nikolai Mikhaylovich Przhevalsky (IPA: [prʐɛ'valʲskʲi]), also spelled Przewalski and Prjevalsky (Russian: Никола́й Миха́йлович Пржева́льский; April 12 [O.S. 31 March] 1839-November 1 [O.S. 20 October] 1888 ), was a Russian geographer and explorer of Central and Eastern Asia. Although he never reached his final goal, Lhasa in Tibet, he traveled through regions unknown to the west, such as northern Tibet, modern Qinghai and Dzungaria. He significantly contributed to European knowledge on Central Asia and was the first known European to describe the only extant species of wild horse.

Something I found particularly interesting:


and one more thing...


en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolai_Przhevalsky - in English
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niko%C5%82aj_Przewalski - in Polish

I don't understand you Sashka. From the one hand Russian colaborate (all the time in history) against their "Slavic" brothers Poles with the Germans.

From the other hand you claim Poles being your brtohers because of some personalities you show us here.

I don't see your point.

BTW. The fact that so many people with roots in Poland have so big impact on Russian literature or other achievments isn't well known in Poland.

Russians themselves have never collaborated with anybody against Poles. The head of it did though. As for common Russians that was usually represented for them as if it was "liberation". For instance till 90th my father'd known only one version of Katyn: "Germans killed 'em all". To some extent this kind of thinking is rightful... at least not one-sided. In fact nobody knows what would be with Poland if the USSR didn't interfere.


I'm after friendly relationship with Poles firstly and with Poland secondly. I've never been taught as if Poles some hostile nation for us. One always has a right not to fall into propoganda trap. Why not use it?!

EDIT: I want to show that Poles contributed a lot to get Russia where it is right now, to show that Russia is essentially a big international game where Poles played a huge part.


There're many monuments devoted for Poles in Russia.


I don't speak Polish but if you follow the Polish link in wiki on Przevalski's personality the fact of his "polishness" is cast in doubt (as far as I got it using my knowledge of Russian). It's only one of versions right there...

Oh come one.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_Uprising
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_Uprising

pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakt_Ribbentrop-Mołotow

I can continue.

Common Russian ... unfortunately you always had despotic rulers. It seems that you like what you have ... It seems that Poles don't have anything against common Russians but more problems wit RUSSIA and your rulers.

WWII ... it is good you beaten Germans ... normal Russian soldiers (not NKVD) have done good job.


Obama's forein policy advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski on US - Russia relationship nwo

BTW I like this authors books.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Bulgakov

I insist that all partitions were made for the sake of Poland.
Who knows what would happen with Poland, if Russia didn't accomplish those healing incursions!

Probably whole eastern Poland would look like Wielkopolska (Poznań with 150% of olds EU average when we look on GDP), with some regions richer than those in western Poland... much richer than many regions in countries which are much richer now ... like it was before your healing incursions ....

Sorry me Prince, but I cannot agree with you. May be you are denying the fact that Poland had been near death long before Russian interference, and the prime causes of the decline were within Polish borders.

Poland was in a very bad shape and bad economical situation.

Exactly like Russia today - with oil per 34$/barel.
Bur I still have some (not too much, anyway) hope for Russia.
Maybe at least a part of it will survive China's expantion ?

Prince if I were you, I'd better start with the mention of so-called smuta and guys like Minin&Pozharski.


You don't seem to get my PM in Russian. :) Fortnatelly or not this's the way things go. Russia is a big and multiethnical. One may be against despot rulers two others may be for. However I believe things are to change in the next 20-30 years.


Starina Zbiggi is a blatant Russphobe working for another Empire. I wouldn't state his opinion as something worthy on should strain ears for.

I like Bulgakov too. His Master&Margarita is one of my favourites. Do you read him in the original? I just thought it could be not easy...

Well Kostia has a point there.

PS: Why do russian and Ukrainian male names sound so femaleish? Anyone noticed this? Kostia, Sasza, Żenia, Wania... ;)

The theme of legal euthanasia is very popular in europe now. Russia was a merciful healer of 18 century. She made a lethal injection ending desperate torments of Poland. How dare you to blame Russia for act of charity.

Yeah, I guess that Poland of XVIII century could be described as the "sick man of Europe". Just like post soviet Russia is being seen these days by many politicians. It's too early for Poland to help you out but who knows what will happen in a decade or two from now. ;)

This is like affectionate diminutive. Full names are different... Konstantin, Alexander, Evgeniy, Ivan. Sasha and Zhenia could be both female and male btw. Answering why so... well... maybe because Russians in general are very kind (and modest) nation. ;)

Do you think that it sounds effeminate? I dont think so. Unlike polish dog-like names, Russians ascends very deep in roman and greek history. Here you cited only deminutive names, and you know very well that it is not correct. For example my name ascends to Constantius Chlorus who was the Roman Caesar reconquered British island to Roman Empire in times of Deocletian August. Later he would be a father of another Constantine, the Grate. Meanwhile, Sasha's name even more ancient, it ascends to the famous Alexander III the Great.

Do you still think that Russian names have a lack of manhood?

Ahh, I see. So why is Sasha a diminutive of Alexander. Strange. But than again, in polish it is Olek.


No Sir, I have learned my lesson. BTW, what is wrong with beautiful polish names such as Mysiwór, or Kocipał?! I'm thinking of naming my son one of those names. ;)

Ha-ha! You make me laugh! Do you expect that your son will be a horse? No way! Listen to me, don't make his future life terrible, name him Ioann instead. Nice name.

God knows. :) Typically Russian invention. Even in Serbian and Czech it's the same name very seldom... But anyway I heard them using those names as diminutive for Alexander.

The Polish name I'm really interested in is Zbiegnew. It doesn't seem to have any analogy in other languages. What does it mean? What're the origins?

Because Alexander was called Iskander by Illyrians and Scythians and generally folks living in today's eastern Europe area.
Iskander-Skander-sasha.

Everything is simple. Sasha, you should say you thank for your name to Catherine II who having plans of reconqest Costaninopole from Turks named her two grand sons Alexander and Constantine respectively. It was intended to Alexander to be a Russian emperor as Alexander I and the second grandson to be an emperor of re-established new Byzantine Empire as Constantine XIII. Later Alexander will be a national hero as for vanquishing Napoleon. Thus, this name became very popular in Russia. Meanwhile Constantine later will be famous only for his rejecting Russian throne after the Alexander's death causing the Decemberist's revolt and miss-minded silver ruble, very valuable among numizmats.

Yes,this name caused a revolution and some blood bath in Balcans.

Hey, how are you southern? I heard that you have some post of revolution just now! Do you participate?

No.Too hardcore for me.But I sympathize with them.They are right although it seems strange.Europe is afraid.