Latvia bans irregular bus services to russia and Belarus for year

The Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia has decided to ban irregular bus transportation to the aggressor countries of russia and Belarus from November 1. It was reported by the LSM+ edition on Tuesday, October 7.

The ban on irregular passenger transportation applies to all carriers, regardless of the country of registration of the legal entity or vehicle, and will be in effect until the end of October 2026. Border guards will not allow irregular passenger carriers to cross the Latvian-Belarusian and Latvian-russian borders at the Paternieki, Grebneva and Terekhova border crossing points.

"In connection with the current geopolitical situation and the government's call for Latvian residents to refrain from traveling to Belarus and Russia, an increase in the flow of irregular organized bus services has been detected, as well as congestion on the border roads. This situation creates additional security risks, including threats of illegal immigration, intelligence activities of foreign intelligence services and recruitment of citizens," said Minister of Communications Atis Švinka.

Border crossing will be possible only on regular buses, where passengers are registered and checked. Currently, there are three regular routes to Belarus and six to russia from Latvia.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on September 18, a fragment of a Gerbera drone, which is actively used by the army of the aggressor country russia in the war against Ukraine, was found in the west of Latvia.

On September 11, Latvia temporarily closed the airspace along the border with Belarus and russia.