In connection with the collapse of the Soviet Union at the end of the 20th century, many new independent states were formed on the territory of Eastern Europe. For some residents of the USSR, the collapse of a single country has become a real tragedy, for others - an opportunity for new starts. On many sides there were many families united by consanguinity, mentality, and property values. The border of Ukraine and Russia divided the two largest Soviet states, and over time became not only a nominal Rubicon, but also a very real dividing strip. What has changed over more than 20 years, what has this border territory become today?
Official data
The border between Russia and Ukraine today has a length of about 2295 kilometers. For the most part, the Rubicon between the two states was formed back in Soviet times, as part of a single power, in 1928. In particular, from the Russian side, the Bryansk, Kursk, Rostov, Voronezh and Belgorod regions adjoin the Ukrainian state. This separation is accepted by both entities and does not raise any additional issues for a long time.
Crimea transfer
The border of Ukraine and Russia for a long time remained unchanged. However, in 1954 a significant event took place, the echoes of which are especially relevant in our time. At the initiative of the Soviet authorities, in honor of the memorable date of the 300th anniversary of the reunification of fraternal peoples, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea passed under the control of the Ukrainian SSR. From the point of view of the territorial location, such a transfer seemed quite adequate and justified. The next time, the border between Ukraine and Russia has undergone changes today, 60 years later, on a popular, not government, initiative.
Crimea today
Conflict events in Ukraine, which began at the end of 2013, negatively affected the political, economic and, as a result, the country's social life. On March 16, 2014, residents of Crimea held an internal vote and, by a majority of popular votes, decided on independence and secession from Ukraine. Subsequently, on the basis of an interstate agreement, the peninsula became one of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Modern history was made before the eyes of millions. However, the Ukrainian side today does not agree with the current state of affairs and accuses Russia of illegal occupation of the territory.
Border Crossing Points
The border crossing of Ukraine and Russia occurs through special checkpoints. The largest railway posts are equipped in the cities of Cossack Lopan, Bachevsk, Kvashino, Topoli and others. There are border points for road transport. Any kind of control at the border is regulated by the laws of the two states, as well as international standards. To ensure proper throughput, each of the parties is obliged to organize all the necessary infrastructure and two-way communication of various kinds.
Rules for crossing the border between two states
Political events in Ukraine are changing with astonishing speed, however, to date, there have been no official changes to the rules of entry into the country, although in fact they certainly are. So, the border of Ukraine and Russia is available for crossing on a visa-free basis. An agreement on such a regime was concluded back in 1997. Citizens of the Russian Federation at the checkpoint will need a Russian or foreign passport, and for children under 16 years of age - a birth certificate and, if necessary, a notarized power of attorney to leave. Regardless of the mode of movement, all persons crossing the border fill out special two-part immigration cards. The information indicated on the forms is entered by the Ukrainian border guards into the appropriate file cabinet. Upon entering Ukraine, the first part of the card is transferred to the border services, and the second part is returned to them upon departure. The loss of this form is a violation of the regime of crossing the territory of the country.
Citizens of Russia can stay in Ukraine for 90 days. If you need to extend the specified period, you will have to take care of temporary registration. Citizens of other CIS countries do not have the opportunity to enter Ukraine without a passport, and residents of Turkmenistan are even required to obtain a visa.
New policy of Ukraine
Since the map of the border between Russia and Ukraine has changed significantly, certain difficulties arose for the residents of the Russian Federation when traveling to a neighboring country was necessary. The first information about this appeared back in March 2014, when Ukraine actually blocked the border, citing the aggressive policies of the Russian Federation, attempts to seize foreign territory and aiding terrorism. Additional reinforcement was carried out on the border of the Lugansk and Kharkov regions, that is, in those regions where the actual situation is on the verge of a civil war. According to the new Ukrainian authorities, many saboteurs and provocateurs every day are traveling from the territory of the former fraternal union republic, supporting extremist sentiments within the country.
Blurred outlines
Is the border on the castle? Ukraine, Russia, today are in a state of active confrontation in many areas. In cities such as Lugansk, Kramatorsk, Donetsk, and Slavyansk, a civil war is already underway, in which hundreds of civilians are dying, defending their interests, wishes and nationality. A huge number of refugees from eastern Ukraine daily crosses the state border of Russia in search of protection and refuge from all the horrors of hostilities.
The border of Ukraine and Russia today takes a blurry outline. Some of the surrounding territories are currently under the control of militias, and the Ukrainian security forces have been fighting for power over them for a long time, while the militias are actively organizing their own checkpoints.
Echoes of war
Data has already appeared in the Russian press about certain unexploded ordnance that are located on the border of Russian territory. According to media reports, they got here as a result of the bombing of Ukrainian cities located on the border of the two countries. At the moment, mines are being studied by the relevant departments of the Russian Federation, and only then will an official verdict be issued.
The border of Ukraine and Russia, the cities that are between the two countries, is in distress. Hundreds of thousands of people suffer ethnic harassment, lose their normal way of life, cannot work, live normally, receive the necessary medical care. On the other side of the barricades, they are also afraid of war, stray shells, terrorist attacks and refugees who spontaneously cross the border in places where there are no equipped posts and no border troops. At what point the lawlessness will end and the peaceful life will begin, it is impossible to answer for sure. Ukrainians and Russians can only hope that politicians will be able to resolve problems, lay down their arms, and peace and tranquility will reign on the border again.