Residents of Russia’s European portion frequently cross into Kazakhstan via five checkpoints located in the Orenburg region: Orskoye on the Orsk–Aktobe highway, Sagarchin on the Orenburg–Aktobe route, Ilek (Orenburg–Uralsk), Mashtakovo (Samara–Uralsk), and Teploe (Buzuluk–Uralsk). This week’s reporting compiles the current situation at each point to give a clearer picture of what travelers face at the border.
Orskoe
Eyewitness testimony describes a continuous, multi-kilometer traffic bottleneck. In some accounts, the queue has stretched beyond 300 cars, with waiting times approaching a full day. Other sources report periods when the line expanded to two days, and there have even been anecdotes of people paying as much as 30,000 rubles to secure a place in the line. Travelers lament the cold and wind on the steppe at night, especially if they failed to bring adequate warm clothing, such as thermal underwear and gloves, as reported by observers on Lenta.ru. Reports also indicate that individuals with a military background can be placed at the border control regardless of the stated purpose of crossing, and the presence of any formal roster or agenda does not appear to influence the outcome.
Sagarchin
The Sagarchin checkpoint sees long lines as well. One correspondent described the traffic jam extending for roughly 15 kilometers. Many people proceed on foot, while taxi services shuttle individuals toward the front of the line; border guards do not permit progress beyond certain points. It can take more than four hours to traverse the jam on foot, and many travelers arrive with families, strollers, and even dogs. For several days, the line moved slowly, but during a particular week it was reported that entrance was allowed with limited restrictions and without subpoenas being issued.
Ilek
At the beginning of the week, the line at Ilek stretched about 16 kilometers, with around 1,200 pedestrians waiting at the checkpoint. Taxi drivers offer to take travelers to nearby fueling points for a fee of roughly 100 rubles. The flow has slowed as people attempt to cut ahead in the queue, and there were reports that spots in the line could be purchased for about 50,000 rubles.
Mashtakovo
Mashtakovo’s status is mixed for different travelers. Trucks are allowed through with relative ease, yet cars and pedestrians are admitted only sporadically. An eyewitness described the rate as nearly one person per hour, according to local coverage. The Russian side’s congestion extended beyond 30 kilometers, and observers described the conditions as severe: vehicles abandoned, tow trucks rented, groceries and fuel bought at inflated prices, burners used to heat meals, and improvised shelters being constructed to cope with the wait.
Teploe
Crossing the border at Teploe has similar challenges, with travelers enduring several days in line and relying on roadside fires for warmth. Border residents sometimes cook hot meals and sell them to those in the queue. Gasoline sold in the vicinity can command high prices, and a 5-liter container has been observed changing hands for around 1,000 rubles. When meals arrive, they are often snapped up quickly, and travelers who stray from the line risk being sent to its end. Some individuals eventually choose to walk away from the waiting crowds with no guaranteed return.
Cost of travel from the checkpoint to a Kazakh city
From Mashtakovo, the route toward Uralsk in Kazakhstan typically requires a taxi fare of about 1,000 rubles, though earlier in the week the same ride was priced at roughly 2,000 rubles or 16,000 tenge. A number of taxi operators maintain their own queue, and prospective travelers might find themselves waiting for a seat among as many as 40 drivers competing for service. This dynamic reflects the broader demand patterns at border crossings during peak periods, where price and availability fluctuate based on the time of day and queue length.
- In a border situation with Georgia, a spontaneous car market reportedly emerged.
- Updates about border crossings were commonly shared via social platforms such as Odnoklassniki.
Video coverage: YouTube / portal My CITY