The Russian Federation’s Council of Ministers approved a temporary measure concerning the entry of Ukrainian citizens arriving from third countries. The measure was announced as a practical step in response to current security and geopolitical considerations, based on the official document released by government authorities.
According to the latest guidance, starting at midnight on October 16, individuals from Ukraine who hold citizenship of Ukraine and who are traveling from outside Russia will be limited to two designated border crossing points. One crossing is at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport, while the other is the Ludonka land crossing in the Pskov region. The aim is to manage border flow in a controlled way during a period of heightened regional tension, and the authorities emphasize that the rule is temporary and provisional in nature.
The text of the document specifies that the restriction applies to all Ukrainian citizens aged 14 and over. It also notes that foreign citizens accompanying Ukrainian minors will be subject to the same entry controls, ensuring that guardianship and dependent travel are accounted for within the enforcement framework.
Separately, an assessment by the government in early October involved a bill that would suspend certain preferential visa arrangements for nationals of a subset of European Union member states. The proposal, submitted to the State Duma, covers individuals holding Danish and Norwegian passports and, if approved, could extend to residents of Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The measure appears to be part of a larger recalibration of visa policy in response to evolving security concerns and international relations dynamics.
Earlier statements by the Russian leadership included a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin that temporarily waived visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens and allowed entry with expired internal passports under certain conditions. The decree is described as a temporary facilitation in contrast to the new border control measures, reflecting a flexible approach to cross-border movement amid the broader regional situation. Analysts note that changes to visa and entry rules are often tied to ongoing negotiations, security assessments, and the legitimate interests of nationals residing in each jurisdiction. The government emphasizes that all changes are subject to review and may be adjusted in light of shifting conditions and policy priorities, with the overarching aim of maintaining public safety while facilitating legitimate travel where possible as circumstances permit (Source: government documents; official statements).
These developments illustrate how policy instruments in border management and visa administration can be used in tandem to respond to shifts in regional stability. Observers also highlight that the two-border crossing arrangement for Ukrainian travelers represents a targeted approach designed to concentrate administrative capacity at specific checkpoints. The approach helps authorities monitor entry patterns, enforce travel restrictions, and ensure that safety standards are applied consistently across all travelers from damaged or unstable areas. In practice, this means travelers should expect heightened screening, documentation verification, and possible delays at entry points during the period of enforcement. The document outlining these provisions reiterates that the measures are temporary and subject to ongoing evaluation by the executive branch, with the possibility of modification as the situation in the region evolves (Official notice; supporting analyses).