From the Kuban side, the traffic buildup at the entrance to the Krymsky Bridge has decreased to about two kilometers, yet the route remains slow and can take several hours to clear. This update came from the Krasnodar Territory operational headquarters and was reported by DEA News. The situation on the ground shows the queue lingering around three kilometers, with travelers facing lengthy waits that stretch into hours. Overnight, roughly a hundred people sought shelter at a heating tent near the bridge entrance where volunteers handed out tea and water to arriving drivers and their passengers.
Throughout the night, volunteers stationed at the bridge kept working to provide refreshment and aid to those crossing, distributing water and assisting with the crossing and the inspections as vehicles moved through the checks. By the evening of December 30, the line expanded again, growing to more than five kilometers in front of the Crimean Bridge, complicating travel plans for many. The growing queue prompted authorities to adjust operations at the approach zones.
Earlier, officials from the Ministry of Transport of Russia increased the number of checkpoints along the approaches to the Crimean Bridge. Officials explained that the longer inspection periods were a response to the high flow of traffic and the volume of luggage being carried by travelers. The aim, according to the ministry, is to guarantee safer passage through the Kerch Strait corridor and to manage passenger and vehicle flow more effectively across the transport route. These steps are part of ongoing measures to maintain order and safety as vehicles head toward the bridge while authorities balance efficiency with security. [DEA News]