The distinction between Russia and Belarus runs along the former border between the RSFSR and the BSSR within the framework of the former Soviet Union, which existed as a line of administrative separation. Until 2017, there were practically no border control points. We can say that for the citizens of the two countries, the border between Russia and Belarus passed only on the map.
How to get from Russia to Belarus
So is there a border between Russia and Belarus? When making a trip from Russia to Belarus and back, citizens are preoccupied with the question of how this will look in practice, because crossing the border in most cases is associated with registration, inspection, various checks, customs control. Crossing the border between Russia and Belarus is unnoticed. For citizens of the two countries, it is enough to have a passport of the country of residence, documents for the car.
This is due to the fact that between the fraternal countries in 1995 an agreement was signed on friendship, cooperation and good neighborliness. The border, which has a length of 1239 kilometers, of which 857 km passes by land, 387 km - by water (rivers, lakes), was opened.
Is the border between Russia and Belarus closed?
As such, there was no border service on the border with Belarus, the passage was free, but from February 7, 2017, a border zone was created from Russia. This is due to the events in Ukraine, as well as the imposition by Russia of sanctions against a number of countries, in particular Poland, bordering Belarus. The need for creation was caused by the fact that it was through the border of this country that goods from countries against which sanctions were imposed came to Russia.
Immediately there was talk that the border between Russia and Belarus was closed. It should be emphasized that the border is closed to residents of other countries. This did not affect citizens of neighboring countries crossing the border.
Reasons for the appearance of the border zone
The decision to introduce a border zone in the regions where the border between Russia and Belarus passes is not made by Moscow on the part of Russians and Belarusians - it concerns foreigners. The Republic of Belarus introduced a five-day visa-free regime for eighty states, which is associated with the development of tourism in the country. This is a certain threat to the Russian Federation. The introduction of a visa-free regime allowed citizens of other countries, taking advantage of the openness of the border, to enter the territory of Russia without permission and registration.
The logic of such a decision can be justified by the fact that Belarus did not agree on this decision in advance with the Russian government. According to the government of our country, it was necessary for three states - Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan to agree in advance on the list of visa-free countries. This has not been done. In this case, there is a threat of the possibility of extremists entering Russia, in particular, from Ukraine, smuggling, drugs, transit migrants from Asia through Europe.
Who will be affected by the creation of the border zone
The changes will primarily affect people who have problems with the law on the territory of Russia, who are not allowed to go abroad, and foreign citizens who seek to enter the Russian Federation through the Republic of Belarus bypassing airports, taking advantage of the openness of the border, in other words to illegal migrants. The main reasons for the organization of the border zone is the fight against smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal transit migration.
As they explain, the border between Russia and Belarus for the intersection of citizens and goods will remain, as before, open. The creation of the border zone does not mean conducting screening of people, cars, and this cannot mean that screening points across the border will be opened. Documents on the organization of border zones do not imply their opening and do not set a goal - to restrict freedom in neighboring countries by crossing the border line.
Where are the border points
In the territories of which areas is the border zone, where is the border between Russia and Belarus? It passes along the line of contact with Belarus of three regions - Smolensk, Bryansk and Pskov. Border crossing points will be located on the territories of the Russian Federation bordering with Belarus. Currently, work is underway to organize them.
Car border crossing
If you want to travel from any city of the Russian Federation to Minsk, then the border between Russia and Belarus will be on your way. By car you have to cross the border point, which is located in our country. There are no border points from Belarus.
The width of the border zone is 5 kilometers. Border guards legitimately work here. Citizens of the two countries can go quietly; crossing the border between Russia and Belarus will not be a hassle. The rules remain the same. You can go along the M1 Minsk-Moscow or A-240 Bryansk-Gomel highways without any permission. When the machine will move along the border zone, they have the right to stop it for checking documents and selective control.
It is possible to determine that the movement passes along the border zone by special identifying signs. If the passengers are all right and nothing suspicious is found, then further travel will be unhindered. For residents living in areas adjacent to the border zones, movement will be free with a passport.
Required documents
When crossing the line where the border between Russia and Belarus passes, by car, it must be remembered that in order to prevent misunderstandings, all necessary documents must be in order. The package of documents includes:
- Passport.
- Documents for a car and driver's license.
- Insurance document (relevant for Green Card holders).
Travel from Belarus to Russia is unhindered. Car travelers should remember that you may be asked how much alcohol you carry. The norm for the transportation of alcoholic beverages of any strength is 3 liters per person. The declaration is not filled out, but it should be remembered that there are shipping standards for certain goods. You can spend with yourself:
- Personal items within 50-80 kg.
- Food 5 kg per person.
- Cigarettes no more than 1 block.
- There are 5 items of precious jewelry.
- Wristwatch 1 pc.
- Leather and fur items no more than 3 items.
- The cost of a transported video camera should not exceed 1 thousand euros.
Currency - dollars and euros can be transported without restrictions, but there is a norm for the transportation of Belarusian rubles. You can have no more than 500 minimum wages in this country with you.
Some rules for screening
The question is whether there is a border between Russia and Belarus, is not quite correct. Of course there is. In order to avoid misunderstandings, it is necessary to remember that according to the existing legislation of Belarus, you need to purchase a medical policy if you are a citizen of the Russian Federation, since only ambulance is provided to Russians. It is drawn up for 14 days, the cost ranges up to 500 rubles and depends on the company that provided it. You can buy at the border.
The Republic of Belarus is located in the coverage area of international insurance policies for a vehicle. If there is no “Green Card”, then you can purchase Belarusian insurance, which, depending on the type of car, is issued for 5 or 15 days, the cost can be up to 53 euros. There is no need to go through customs for cars; freight transport is mandatory. Inspection is carried out only in a selective manner, so do not be surprised if the car is stopped and an inspection is carried out.
