FlyerTalk Forums - Russia-Belarus land border crossing no longer possible

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)

- Russia (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/russia-485/)

- - Russia-Belarus land border crossing no longer possible (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/russia/1796084-russia-belarus-land-border-crossing-no-longer-possible.html)

Russia-Belarus land border crossing no longer possible

...for non-citizens of Russia or Belarus. 3rd country nationals must either fly or use the "Three sisters" (Novye Jurkovichi) crossing, where three borders (Russia, Belarus and Ukraine) meet. Transiting Ukraine or Latvia by land is also an option, though usually not a very convenient one.

What about going by train through Belarus - also no longer possible?

Frankly I don't know, will try to find out & report back. I've even heard that the direct MSQ-Russia flights might be off limits to foreigners (but can't confirm yet).

Since all flights between Belarus and Russia are considered domestic, wouldn't they be off limits too?

That is what the Polish embassy in Moscow is communicating to its citizens. No land border crossing or flight.

According to the travel advice for Russia issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, it appears that third-country nationals (who aren't Belarusian/Russian citizens) are still able to travel directly between Belarus and Russia by air and by train (but not by road):

Quote:

Travelling between Russia and Belarus

The Russian government has informed the UK government that there are no legal grounds to allow third country nationals, including British nationals, to cross between Russia and Belarus by road. If you’re planning on entering Russia by road, you’ll need to take an alternative route through a different country. The UK government isn’t aware of any difficulties encountered by British nationals when travelling between Russia and Belarus by air or rail, but you should make sure that you have all the necessary visas required for the duration of your travel.

Smartraveller advice for Russia from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also suggests that the restriction only applies to land crossings:

Quote:

You might not be permitted to enter Russia from Belarus if travelling by car or bus (including tour-operated buses) as some border crossings are designated for local residents only. This also applies to the main European Highway E30 (which crosses the border of Russia/Belarus closest to Smolensk). It is unclear at this stage which land border crossings, if any, are accessible to Australian travellers. If you intend on crossing into Russia from Belarus, enquire with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Australia.

Also, according to an article from Belarus News, it appears that the Belarusian Government is quite keen to restore the ability of third-country nationals to travel directly by road between Belarus and Russia as soon as possible. Another Belarus News article published yesterday suggests that there has been a significant drop in the number of transit visitors (particularly EU citizens).

I crossed the M1/E30 border not long ago and there was absolutely no control nor nothing. They should do random checks on certain drivers and ask just for the passports. If you are foreigner, you should have both visas of Belarus and Russia. If not, you'd be sent back to the place where you came from. And that's mostly it.
In the airport, they don't allow you to do the check in (at least in MOW) if you don't have a Belarus Visa. So albeit being considered a domestic flight, there is this restriction as well.