Border checks between Russia and Belarus are back for the first time in 28 years
The Belarusian foreign minister says controls on the border with Russia have been partially restored for the first time in 28 years
By YURAS KARMANAU
Published - May 17, 2023, 01:04 PM ET
Last Updated - Jun 21, 2023, 06:41 PM EDT
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus, one of Russia's closest allies, has partially restored controls on its border with its neighbor, Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik said Wednesday.
This is the first time in 28 years that there have been checks at the 1,239-kilometer (770-mile) border.
According to Aleinik, the introduction of border controls aimed to avoid the entry of third-country nationals into Belarus, ahead of the implementation of an intergovernmental agreement on the mutual recognition of visas.
However, human rights activists think the border checks will target Russian men trying to avoid mobilization into the Russian army.
