Russia Imposes Mandatory Passport Checks at Kerch Bridge

Russia has implemented mandatory passport checks at the entry point to the Kerch Bridge from the Krasnodar region. This measure, confirmed by Alexander Ovdyenko, the Russian Minister of Transport in temporarily occupied Crimea, follows heightened security protocols in the region.

According to Radio Svoboda, the decision was made in response to the elevated “yellow” level of terrorist threat, as declared by the Anti-Terrorism Commission of the Temryuk District and the Governor of Krasnodar region. These measures are part of broader “anti-terrorism efforts” initiated under a presidential decree.

Ovdyenko urged travelers to carry original identification documents to expedite manual inspections at checkpoints.

The Kerch Bridge serves as a critical connection between Russia and temporarily occupied Crimea, facilitating the majority of civilian traffic and acting as a vital supply route for military logistics to the peninsula.

Increased security measures around the bridge have been ongoing since May 2024, including the installation of layered defense systems. These include barges, boom barriers, parallel anti-drone structures, and underwater obstacles such as tetrapods and metal barricades. Additional anti-air defense systems have also been deployed.

The bridge has been a key target since October 8, 2022, when Ukrainian forces conducted their first attack, reportedly using improvised explosive devices. Russian authorities have since prioritized its protection, recognizing its strategic importance.

Officials have not specified the duration of these measures, but the indefinite nature of the “yellow” alert level suggests continued restrictions. The Kerch Bridge remains central to Russia’s efforts to maintain its presence and logistics in Crimea.

Earlier, during a speech at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, Ukraine’s Ambassador-at-Large Anton Korynevych emphasized the need to dismantle Russia’s illegal Kerch Bridge, calling it a violation of international navigation rights and a permanent obstacle to maritime shipping. He highlighted that the bridge not only impedes the passage of large vessels carrying Ukrainian goods but is also used by Russia for military supplies to temporarily occupied Crimea, urging the restoration of free transit through the Kerch Strait.