Lars border crossing remains closed for fifth day, stranding hundreds of Armenian trucks

As of November 30, 2024, over 860 Armenian trucks remain stuck in the electronic queue at the Verkhny Lars border checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border in North Ossetia.

According to the Republic's Road Traffic Organization Centre, this delay has caused significant traffic congestion, with a total of 2,880 trucks now registered in the queue, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

The Verkhny Lars checkpoint, which connects Russia to Georgia, is a vital transit point for trucks, especially for Armenia, as the country relies on this route for much of its trade. The road through Lars, specifically the Gudauri-Kobi section of the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Lars international highway, has been closed to heavy trucks since the evening of November 25 due to unclear reasons, causing further disruptions to cargo movements.

On average, around 150 Armenian trucks pass through Verkhny Lars daily, making it a crucial passage for goods between Armenia, Russia, and Georgia. The closure of this route has created a massive backlog, and those waiting in line are facing increasing delays.

The Georgian Military Road, which connects Armenia and Russia through Georgia, is currently the only functioning overland route for trade and transportation between the two countries. The ongoing closure of Verkhny Lars is having a significant impact on businesses that rely on the flow of goods through this key border crossing.

By Tamilla Hasanova