For first time, Russia imposed a border zone along the border with Belarus
The Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) established a border zone along the border with Belarus in the Pskov, Smolensk, and Bryansk regions, as was stated in the order of the Director of FSB, Alexander Bortnikov, which was published on the legal information website.
These border zones are necessary to "establish the necessary conditions for the protection of the border of the Russian Federation."
The regional offices of the FSB in the Smolensk, Pskov, and Bryansk regions will establish places and dates for the entry and means of transport to the border zone, as well as organize the installation of warning signs.
There has not been this type of border zone on the borders between Russia and Belarus before.
On 9 January, Belarus imposed a 5 day visa free regime for citizens of 80 countries. The order by the Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko, applied to 39 European countries including the whole of the EU and also the USA, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, and other countries.
At the same time there is a visa-free policy between Russia and Belarus where foreign citizens coming to Minsk without visas can enter Russia.