Significant traffic congestion, stretching for kilometers, has been reported at the border between Russia and Georgia. According to individuals posting in a Telegram channel, wait times can extend up to 15 hours. The situation is particularly challenging for those traveling from Russia to Georgia via the Upper Lars checkpoint.
Conversely, motorists report that traffic flows much more smoothly in the opposite direction, with waits of only about two hours. They attribute the delays to several factors: slow processing at the checkpoint, a recent mudslide, and a high volume of vehicles due to the holiday season. Alexander, who plans to travel via Upper Lars, shares what drivers are discussing in online chats:
“A month ago, the queue was also long, about six hours, which was manageable,” Alexander recounts. “But now, my wife said today it reached 15 hours; I personally saw 13 yesterday. We are preparing for the worst, as last year, people reported waiting almost a full day in August. This is linked to the slow processing capacity on our side, plus there are people who try to cut into the line, leading to conflicts. There was a mudslide recently, but apparently, there aren`t such delays on the Georgian side. The congestion extends further, but the neutral zone is cleared quickly.”
Those awaiting border crossing also complain about the oppressive daytime heat, reaching up to +35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), and a complete lack of organization. They report no basic amenities or traffic management.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth