For family reunification: Russia considers opening border with Ukraine
Illustrative photo: Russia considers opening the border with Ukraine (Getty Images)
In Russia, talks have emerged about the possible opening of a special checkpoint on the border with Ukraine. Russians currently in Ukraine are unable to leave due to expired international passports, according to Russian media.
Russia’s human rights commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, proposed considering the creation of a checkpoint on the border with Ukraine.
"This could allow Russian citizens currently in Ukraine to leave and reunite with their families," she told the media.
Moskalkova noted that many Russians have expired international passports and are unable to obtain new documents. As a result, she claimed, Russian citizens are deprived of the opportunity to leave Ukraine, even through third countries.
"People have effectively found themselves trapped due to the lack of valid documents," the ombudsman said.
Border closures for Russians
For context, Latvia has fully completed its protective fence along the border with Russia. At the final stage, 72 kilometers out of the planned 99 kilometers of the fence, built by the company Igate, have been put into operation.
The total length of engineering barriers along the Latvia–Russia border now reaches around 280 kilometers, forming a continuous physical barrier in areas where technical conditions allow.
Meanwhile, Estonia has begun constructing the first concrete fortifications along the southeastern section of its border with Russia as part of the Baltic Defense Line.
The initial phase of the project involves installing 28 bunkers, seven of which have already been delivered and are being prepared for installation near the municipality of Setomaa.
At the same time, Finland recorded its first case of an illegal border crossing using the new fencing, which is being built along certain sections of the Finland–Russia border.
The official report was released on January 20. The alarm system installed on the fence detected an attempt to cross from Finland into Russia, after which border guards quickly stopped the violator.
Additionally, NATO plans to create an almost uninhabited, fully robotic zone on the eastern flank, equipped with modern surveillance systems and weapons, aimed at reducing risks to soldiers’ lives during the initial phase of a potential offensive.
