Belarus–Russia border
A border between two allies that for decades barely existed: controls were removed in 1995, and the two countries have formed a ‘Union State’ since 2000. Checks crept back only when security worries or the war in Ukraine gave one side a reason.
Written from cited sourcesLast checked 29 September 2026Suggest a correction
See it on the globe:Belarus →Russia →
An invisible frontier
All border controls between Russia and Belarus were removed in 1995, and since January 2000 the two have formed a “Union State”.[1][2] The open border was first tested in February 2017, when Belarus waived visas for short-term visitors from some 80 countries, including the United States and EU members. Russia’s Federal Security Service responded by setting up a security zone with controls along the border, calling Minsk’s decision a security threat.[2]
Checks return
From 5 May 2023 Belarusian border guards partially restored checks on the 1,239 km frontier for the first time in almost 30 years, working with their Russian counterparts. Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik said the aim was to keep third-country nationals out ahead of a deal on mutual recognition of visas. Human rights activists believed the real purpose was to stop Russian men fleeing mobilisation for the war in Ukraine, thousands of whom had gone to Belarus.[1]
“It’s not really control, it’s more like monitoring the situation on the border”[1]
Timeline
1995
Controls removed
Russia and Belarus scrap border controls.[1]
2000January 2000
Union State
The two countries form a Union State.[2]
20171 February 2017
Security zone
Russia sets up border controls after Belarus eases visas.[2]
20235 May 2023
Checks restored
Belarus partially reintroduces border checks.[1]
More borders
Sources
- [1]Russia-Belarus border checks return, linked to Ukraine war draft · Al Jazeera · 18 May 2023
- [2]Russia Establishes Security Zone On Belarusian Border · Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty · 1 February 2017
Map geometry from Natural Earth via world-atlas. See credits.