Georgia's Interior Minister on Reports of Closing Border with Russia

Georgia's Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri stated that he sees no reason to close the "Kazbegi-Verkhny Lars" checkpoint at the border with Russia. "Russian citizens have always come to Georgia. They will still come. Why is it necessary to restrict their entry right now? They have come in large numbers, and in 2011 Mr. Saakashvili met with them and offered a bottle of wine, inviting them to the country," Gomelauri told reporters, as reported by "Novosti-Georgia."

Moreover, the country's Interior Minister admitted that the checkpoint is operating at maximum capacity due to a large influx of those wishing to leave the Russian Federation. He noted that additional police forces have been deployed to "Verkhny Lars" in case it is necessary to escort someone out, detain, or expel them.

A partial mobilization has been declared in Russia since September 21, with authorities announcing plans to send 300,000 people to fight in Ukraine. Following this, tens of thousands of Russians have begun to leave the country.

As of Tuesday morning, there are up to 6,000 passenger vehicles waiting to cross the border at "Verkhny Lars," which is a record number in recent years. Hundreds of people are crossing the border on foot. The Georgian customs station has entered an emergency mode. According to Gomelauri, the number of individuals entering Georgia from Russia has nearly doubled in recent days, increasing from 5-6 thousand per day to 10 thousand.