Queues, Heat, and No Facilities: Drivers Endure Hours-Long Waits at Kazakh-Russian Border

Long lines have once again formed at the Kurmangazy checkpoint on the border between Kazakhstan’s Atyrau Region and Russia’s Astrakhan Region. Cars and freight trucks are piling up at both the entry and exit points, a correspondent for Orda.kz reports.

According to eyewitnesses, the line is barely moving, and the sweltering heat exacerbates the situation. Drivers say they’re stuck on the road for up to five hours, without drinking water, shelter from the sun, or access to proper restrooms.

Yelaman Serikkaliyev, who is traveling to Georgia with friends, says he spent around four hours waiting in line.

It was extremely hot, and there was nowhere to take cover. We stayed inside the car. The toilet was in terrible condition, and there were families with small children around — it was hard on everyone. I wish at least some basic facilities were available,he said. 

A similar experience was shared by truck driver Nurbolat Aitkazin, who was en route to Moscow with cargo.

This isn’t the first time we’ve crossed this border, and it’s always the same. We wait for hours with no toilet, no water, and no updates. This is a transit point — it should have proper conditions and be better organized,the driver said. 

There’s been no official explanation for this particular backup, but drivers speculate the jam may be caused by tighter controls or a shortage of border staff.

Photos and videos shared from the scene show long lines of vehicles stretching along the highway, with people stepping out of their cars to find shade by the roadside. Many are urging local authorities to step in and improve conditions at the checkpoint, especially during the busy summer months when tourist and transit traffic spikes.

Recently, the State Revenue Committee acknowledged that delays involving freight trucks at the Kazakh-Russian border are linked to export legislation requirements and infrastructure-related challenges.

Original Author: Daniel Arturov