Alerts indicate Lithuania has restarted the movement of cargo trucks at the border with Russia. This update comes from the Rosgranstroi Telegram channel. The Lithuanian side has resumed routine passage for cargo-bearing vehicles after completing necessary maintenance on the customs system, with trucks undergoing standard control procedures at the Chernyshevskoye checkpoint in the Kaliningrad region and at Kibartai in Lithuania, according to Rosgranstroi.
Currently, the electronic queuing system for scheduling entry at the Chernyshevskoye checkpoint shows available slots at the self-service terminals. This development suggests that the border flow is returning to a more regular pattern as officials monitor and manage throughput.
Rosgranstroi also provided updates from other border points, noting that the Zabaikalsk checkpoint on the Chinese border and the Bugristoye checkpoint on the Kazakhstan border are operating normally, with empty slots visible in their electronic queue systems for crossing the border.
Earlier in January, passage through Lithuanian checkpoints for cargo trucks was restricted due to maintenance work on the customs system, which temporarily halted shipments. The period from January 6 to January 8, 2024, saw a prohibition on trucks carrying cargo moving through Lithuanian checkpoints as maintenance was carried out to ensure system integrity.
Towards the end of December, Lithuanian authorities restricted empty cargo transportation across the border with Russia and Belarus. The EurAsia Daily portal noted that empty trucks registered in the European Union, including Lithuania, faced these restrictions as part of the broader border management measures in place at that time, as reported by Rosgranstroi.
Agne Bilotaite, who leads the Lithuanian Ministry of Internal Affairs, previously stated that Lithuania does not plan to follow Finland in closing border crossings with Russia. The stance underscores Lithuania’s approach to border operations while balancing security and trade needs, as described by Rosgranstroi.
There were ongoing discussions about transit restrictions within the Kaliningrad Region, with officials and observers suggesting Lithuania may implement controls to limit certain transit activities. This context reflects a broader regional focus on border management and transport safety, as recorded by Rosgranstroi.