Surge in Crossings at Verkhny Lars Border Amid Tourist Boom
By Editor • August 19, 2026 • 1 min read
The Verkhny Lars border crossing between Russia and Georgia has recently witnessed an unprecedented influx of travelers, with reports indicating over 20,000 crossings in a single day. This surge, noted by Russia's Federal Customs Service, reflects a significant increase compared to previous years, particularly around the mid-August period.
On August 17, the customs service reported the historic number, while subsequent days maintained high traffic levels, with over 19,000 crossings each on August 15 and 16. However, the specifics of travelers' directions remain ambiguous.
Contrasting figures emerged from Georgia’s Interior Ministry, which clarified that approximately 16,000 individuals crossed the border between August 18 and 19, with about 7,880 heading to Georgia and 8,406 to Russia. This data aligns closely with the Russian statistics.
Long wait times have been typical at the border, especially following weather-related closures. Recent reports noted morning waits lasting three to five hours, although evening crossings were notably smoother.
Source: meduza.io
