More than 20,000 passengers crossed through the Verkhny Lars border checkpoint in a single 24-hour period, setting a new record for passenger traffic. Russia's Federal Customs Service reported that the record surge in tourist volume was accompanied by a record number of passenger cars passing through the land border crossing.
The intense traffic flow at the checkpoint has continued for several consecutive days. Federal customs officials indicated that more than 19,000 people crossed through Verkhny Lars each day on August 15 and August 16. The agency stated that the latest passenger and vehicle figures significantly exceed data recorded during the same period in previous years.
In response to the heavy congestion, Russian border authorities have expanded operations at the crossing point. The Federal Customs Service said customs and border personnel are taking all necessary measures to ensure the unimpeded passage of vehicles. Officials have reinforced work shifts and deployed additional staff to increase throughput capacity and expedite vehicle processing.
The Verkhny Lars checkpoint is located in the Darial Gorge in North Ossetia, along the historic Georgian Military Road through the Caucasus Mountains. Situated near Vladikavkaz, it serves as the sole operational land border crossing connecting Russia directly with Georgia, handling thousands of passenger cars, buses, and commercial transport vehicles each day.
Russia's Federal Customs Service is the government agency responsible for enforcing customs laws, collecting tariffs, and supervising border movement across the country. Summer months regularly see heightened road travel through the mountain pass as tourists head south toward Georgian resorts, though the high elevation and narrow access roads frequently create major bottlenecks.
Customs service warns of border delays
Customs authorities have asked citizens to carefully consider traffic conditions when planning trips to Georgia. The Federal Customs Service urged drivers to strictly obey traffic rules and warned that overall travel times could increase substantially due to lengthy queues at the checkpoint.
The warnings reflect long-standing difficulties faced by travellers along the border route. A tourist previously described the road journey from Russia to Georgia as a grueling ordeal where travellers could leave their guts and kidneys behind due to the intense physical strain and heavy congestion.
