RUSSIANS USE BELARUS TO BYPASS TRAVEL BAN

Russians are using Belarus as a springboard to travel abroad as their country’s international borders remain largely closed as part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus, transport sector sources say.

Russia and Belarus form a customs union and their shared frontier is relatively porous, making it easier to avoid border guards by taking certain routes.

Unlike Russia, President Alexander Lukashenko has refused to impose a lockdown in Belarus, which also borders Ukraine and European Union member states Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.

Dozens of car and minivan drivers still advertise cross-border shuttle services for both Russian and Belarusian citizens despite Russia’s borders closing in March.