In Tskhinval, at the meeting of the joint Russian-South Ossetian Commission on Inter-parliamentary Cooperation, was raised the issue of potential difficulties that may arise for citizens of South Ossetia in connection with the new decree of the Russian government on the rules for the entry and exit of foreign citizens.
According to the new rules, from June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2026, it will be necessary to register to cross the Russian border through all checkpoints. To do this, you can use the State Services mobile application or send an application for entry and stay in Russia no less than 72 hours before entry. In emergency cases, the application must be submitted no less than 4 hours before the entry.
Deputy Soslan Gagiev has noted that the new rules will create significant difficulties for citizens of South Ossetia when entering and leaving the Russian Federation through the only checkpoint.
He has emphasized that citizens' trips are often short-term, with a return to their place of residence within the same day, given the close economic and family ties with North Ossetia.
The deputy has also noted that issues of implementing the provisions of the resolution in cases of urgent medical transportation and emergency situations remain unclear.
In this regard, the deputy asked his Russian colleagues to assist in resolving this issue and not to extend the provisions of this resolution to citizens of South Ossetia.
"According to the new rules, all requirements must be met within three days, which may cause difficulties, especially for carriers (taxi drivers and bus companies) who cross the border several times a day, as well as for residents of rural areas, for whom it will be physically difficult to meet these conditions," he said.
Gagiev has specified that the resolution will come into force on June 30, 2025 and will apply to all citizens of foreign countries, including those citizens of South Ossetia who do not have Russian citizenship.
He has expressed hope that South Ossetia will be excluded from the scope of these regulations.
Russian Ambassador to South Ossetia Marat Kulakhmetov has noted that the work in this direction is underway.
"The issue is undergoing interdepartmental review in the Russian Federation, since all the interested agencies must provide their opinions on this issue," he has added.
The head of the Russian part of the Commission, Viktor Bondarev, has assured that the request will be taken into account, and the relevant requests will be sent to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Border Guard Service of the Russian Federation to clarify the situation.
