In September 2016 the checkpoint "Krasnaya Gorka" was closed for the transit of foreign citizens except citizens of Belarus and Russia. Transit of other foreign citizens is possible through two other checkpoints.
"Krasnaya Gorka" is checkpoint, located at the route M1 / E30 Minsk - Smolensk - Moscow. Starting from September 2016, this point no longer accepts foreign citizens, including EU citizens, traveling by private car. Smolensk border guard explained this as the lack of equipment for checking passports, as well as Article 4 of the agreement between Russia and Belarus as of 1995, on the ban on the travel of third-country citizens.
The border guards reported that the checkpoint "Krasnaya Gorka" is designed exclusively for travel of citizens of Belarus and Russia - both countries are members of the Union State, there is no boundary between them. Accordingly, the cross of this checkpoint by the train or automobile by citizens of other countries is illegitimate.
By October, it became clear that the Russian side has taken a fundamental decision to not let citizens of other countries except for Belarus and Russia to cross Russia through Belarus. It is not an additional measure, there are no new regulations there - Russian law prescribes to cross the border only at international border crossing points (BCP).
Confidence Group reported that in order to enter Russia, one should either proceed to the "New Yurkovichi" - this is the only BCP on the border with Belarus (placed in Dobrush district of Gomel region) - or proceed to Latvia and further to the nearest Russian BCP "Burachki" - "Terehova".
Confidence Group encourages foreign citizens to take into account this situation, because even if there is a visa, it is necessary to have a stamp confirming the legality of crossing the border with Russia in documents.
Entry of a foreign citizen through Belarus not through international checkpoints will be considered as a violation of the rules, for which the stated penalty is from 2 to 7 thousand rubles (from 29 to 100 euros in the equivalent) and expulsion.
As of October 14, 2016 air communication between Belarus and Russia (including transit from other countries) is actually carried out in the former regime, there are no changes. New guidelines from the state authorities are not received. Changes may occur at any time.
Interfax and Deutsche Welle states such information.
Map of the location of checkpoints is available here.
For detailed information please contact consultants of Confidence Group.
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