Flooding forces closure of key Russia-Kazakhstan border crossing

The passage of people, vehicles, and goods has been temporarily suspended at the Mariinsky (Zhelakur) road border crossing between Russia and Kazakhstan due to flooding of the Bersuat River on the Kazakh side.

The Federal State Unitary Enterprise Rosgranstroy announced on its Telegram channel that the suspension took effect on March 27, 2026 and affects all traffic through the adjacent Zhelakur/Mariinsky crossing. The agency advised travelers to take the closure into account when planning to cross the border, Caliber.Az reports. 

Authorities did not provide an estimate for when the crossing would reopen.

By Sabina Mammadli