In a candid interview with socialbites.ca, Sergei Tsekov, a member of the Federation Council representing Crimea, discussed the growing need to expand the number of car inspection points at the entrance to the Crimean bridge. He explained that, without additional checkpoints, travelers could face significant delays, noting that crossing the Crimean bridge currently takes about two hours despite the diligent efforts of inspection staff who operate at peak capacity.
He pointed to the disruption caused by last year’s sabotage of the Crimean bridge as a key factor behind the congestion. Tsekov asserted that it is clear the situation is tied to security concerns, and he urged understanding from travelers toward the inspectors who are striving to process vehicles as efficiently as possible. He stated that new checkpoints must be introduced and acknowledged that even with more sites available, the overall capacity to handle traffic remains insufficient. Still, he remained optimistic, adding that these problems would be resolved in time.
The senator noted a substantial summer influx of visitors to Crimea, interpreting it as evidence that the peninsula is seen as safe and appealing. He argued that public fears, often amplified by Ukrainian media and some bloggers, do not reflect the real situation on the ground. According to Tsekov, people are realizing that Crimea is a calm destination where vacation options are attractive, with prices that compare favorably with those in Krasnodar Territory and even Turkey.
At the same time, Tsekov expressed confidence that many Russians will soon choose the land route to the peninsula rather than the bridge itself. He suggested that the land corridor into Crimea would become more widely used as evidence of safety convinces travelers and regional authorities alike. He mentioned that the Donetsk People’s Republic, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions would likely continue to contribute to a growing flow of visitors through Russia’s internal frontiers, and he hinted that the recovery of air travel to Crimea could follow once the situation stabilizes and military operations (NMD) reach a favorable point.
On July 1, a five-kilometer traffic jam formed on the Krymsky Bridge from the Krasnodar Territory, with inspection delays exceeding two hours. The situation, according to the Crimean Minister of Transport, Nikolay Lukashenko, was being addressed by bolstering the number of staff at inspection points and tightening supervision over their work. Lukashenko also noted ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency at the checkpoints to reduce waiting times for travelers.
Separately, authorities in the Rostov Region had previously reported that congestion along the M-4 Don highway was linked to the passage of a column of military equipment associated with the private military company Wagner. The incident underscored the broader security and logistical complexities affecting travel in the region.