Currently, all checkpoints on the border with the aggressor state remain closed, but the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine ensures the return of Ukrainian citizens to their homeland. Find out more about how to get to Ukraine from russia

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According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, all checkpoints on the border with russia and Belarus remain closed, but, in accordance with the Constitution, border guards ensure the return of Ukrainian citizens to their homeland. In particular, the border crossing takes place at those checkpoints where russia releases Ukrainians by transport or on foot.

Earlier, we told you where Ukrainian citizens who were forcibly taken to the territory of the russian federation can get help and how to apply for a temporary identity card in the russian federation to return home. 

Read more about visa rules and obtaining a visa to Ukraine for russian citizens here.

It should be noted that in the first half of 2023, more than 7,000 tourists from russia visited Ukraine.

Which checkpoints on the border with russia are open?

According to official information, there is currently only one checkpoint on the border with russia for Ukrainians - Kolotylivka-Pokrovka, located on the border between the Sumy region of Ukraine and the Belgorod region of russia. Upon returning to the territory of Ukraine, citizens can immediately contact a volunteer humanitarian center to receive psychological, legal or humanitarian assistance. Read more about how to receive financial assistance upon arrival in Ukraine here.

However, the Border Guard Service emphasizes that the russian side may restrict the movement of Ukrainians and not let them leave russia. The last time such actions were recorded was in July 2023.

On the border of Ukraine and Belarus, you can cross the border on foot at the Mokrany (Brest Oblast) - Domanovo checkpoint. For detailed instructions on how to get to the checkpoint in Belarus from the territory of the russian federation and what documents are required, please read here.

Read about security rules, border checks and other important aspects of leaving the russian federation through checkpoints on the common border with Ukraine here.

Returning to Ukraine via EU countries: what is the best way to go?

If you have a foreign biometric passport, Ukrainians can choose either land transportation or an air flight to Kaliningrad with further border crossing to Poland. You can leave russia by bus via Estonia, Latvia or Finland.

Ukrainians can also travel through Belarus to Poland or Lithuania. However, it should be borne in mind that the situation on the border of the EU countries with Belarus is currently quite tense, in particular, due to the presence of Wagner mercenaries in the border areas and numerous provocations. Therefore, land border crossings may take longer than expected. 

For those Ukrainians who have partially or completely lost their documents, the journey will be more difficult. Read more about how to leave russia without Ukrainian documents here.

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How russians can enter Ukraine (spoiler - 3 options)

On July 1, 2022, Ukraine officially introduced a visa regime for russian citizens. Therefore, it is no longer possible to enter Ukraine freely through checkpoints on the border with russia or through third countries. Therefore, we offer three, in our opinion, the most successful options that russians can use to enter Ukraine.

Option 1 (for those who left the russian federation)

Renounce russian citizenship in favor of citizenship of another country, such as Turkey or Argentina. Note that this option is only suitable for thinking and conscious people who have long since severed ties with russia. In any other case, we recommend returning to russia and choosing option 2.

Option 2 (for those who are in the territory of the russian federation)

To overthrow the putin regime and ensure the withdrawal of russian troops from Ukraine, pay all reparations and contributions, and enter Ukraine in ten years, subject to obtaining a visa and clearing your mind of propaganda. 

Option 3 (for those who have already "reached" the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine)

Surrender by dialing the round-the-clock hotline of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War – +380 44 35 08 917 / 688 (only from Ukrainian numbers). Or by contacting via Telegram and WhatsApp at the following numbers:

+380 95 68 86 888

+380 93 68 86 888

+380 97 68 86 888

Detailed instructions on how to surrender for russians and forcibly mobilized Ukrainians can be found here.

So, in conclusion, it is, of course, possible, but not worth it.

We remind you! After more than 1.5 years of full-scale war, russian citizens continue to attempt to enter the territory of Ukraine. We told you how many russians managed to get into Ukraine and why they took this step in our previous article.

Photo: Racurs.ua

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