Kazakhstan Temporarily Closes Border Crossing with Russia Due to Flooding

Kazakhstan has temporarily closed a key border crossing with Russia. The decision was made due to flooding from the Bersuat River on the Kazakh side of the frontier.

The suspension of all passenger, vehicle, and cargo traffic through the Zhelkuar road checkpoint in Kazakhstan's Kostanay Region took effect on March 27, 2026. The corresponding checkpoint on the Russian side is known as Mariinsky, located in the Chelyabinsk Region.

"For this reason, traffic through the Mariinsky automobile checkpoint, located on the Russian side in the Chelybinsk region, has been temporarily suspended," stated an official announcement regarding the closure.

Authorities have urged citizens and vehicle owners to take this information into account when planning to cross this section of the Russian-Kazakh state border.