Freight Truck Traffic Through Russian Border Crossings Decreased by 8% in May 2025

In May 2025, a total of 141,600 freight vehicles passed through Russia’s road border checkpoints where customs accounting is conducted—8% fewer than in the same month last year, when the figure stood at 153,900. However, this is still 17% higher than the monthly average for the previous four months. Freight traffic saw a partial recovery in May after experiencing the steepest decline in the past three years during the first quarter. Nearly 72,000 trucks entered Russia in May (a year-on-year decrease of 10%), while over 61,900 exited the country (down 6% year-on-year). Despite the overall decline, the top six busiest border checkpoints showed growth compared to the same month last year: Verkhny Lars (border with Georgia) – 35,100 trucks (+12%); Zabaykalsk (border with China) – 21,700 trucks (+14%); Yarag-Kazmalyar (border with Azerbaijan) – 18,900 trucks (+6%); Pogranichny (border with China) – 11,000 trucks (+38%); Tagirkent-Kazmalyar (border with Azerbaijan) – 8,200 trucks (+45%); Kani-Kurgan (border with China) – 7,600 trucks (+53%). From January to May, a total of 627,700 freight trucks passed through Russia’s road border checkpoints—an 11% decrease compared to the same period last year. This includes 318,500 trucks entering Russia (-12%) and 309,200 leaving the country (-10%).