Truck drivers in Armenia plan protest at Russian embassy VIDEO

Truck drivers in Armenia have been blocking interstate roads leading to the Bagratashen, Gogavan, and Bavra checkpoints since October 20. 

The drivers have also announced plans to continue their protest outside the Russian embassy in Yerevan, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

The demonstrations are in response to new Russian regulations limiting the time foreign drivers can spend in Russia. Under the rules, drivers are now allowed to stay for 90 days instead of 180, and those exceeding the limit face deportation and a ban on re-entry for three to five years.

Armenian drivers have warned that, under the current circumstances, they will prevent any trucks with foreign registration plates from entering Armenia.

From January 1, 2025, changes to the permitted period of stay for foreign nationals entering the Russian Federation under a visa-free regime came into force, in accordance with Federal Law No. 260-FZ of 8 August 2024. The total stay for this category of foreigners has been reduced to 90 days per calendar year, down from the previous allowance of 90 days within any 180 days.

Exceptions include cases provided for under Federal Law No. 115-FZ of 25 July 2002 “On the Legal Status of Foreign Nationals in the Russian Federation,” international treaties to which Russia is a party, or where the period of temporary stay has been extended in accordance with the law.

This primarily concerns citizens of countries with bilateral visa-free agreements with Russia, as well as those entering Russia for education, employment, temporary residence, or asylum.

The new regulation does not apply to foreign nationals entering Russia under a visa regime; their stay remains governed by the validity of the issued visa.

By Aghakazim Guliyev