A queue of lorries at the border checkpoint "Syrym — Mashakovo" in the West Kazakhstan Region (WKR) has reached 35 km. Drivers report waiting for more than 24 hours and complain about the lack of basic facilities on the road.
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE BORDER
As reported by the publication "My City", lorry drivers passing through the Syrym checkpoint are facing long delays when leaving Kazakhstan for Russia.
One driver said he arrived at the border on 21 June at 14:50 and had only managed to advance 15 km in two days. According to him, the queue was about 20 km long when he arrived, but had since increased to 35 km. He still had around 10 km to go to reach the checkpoint itself.
WHAT THE DRIVERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT
According to the drivers, they are forced to spend long periods in the heat with almost no essential facilities.
The lorry drivers claim there are no food outlets, drinking water, provisions, or sanitary areas on the road. Due to the prolonged wait, they believe the situation is becoming increasingly difficult.
WHAT THE STATE AUTHORITIES HAVE EXPLAINED
The Department of State Revenues for the WKR reported that the tax authorities on the Kazakh side are operating as normal.
As reported by the Border Service of the National Security Committee (BS NSC), the build-up of vehicles leaving Kazakhstan is due to several factors.
These include:
- the active season for exporting perishable agricultural products, including melons and gourds;
- an increase in the transit flow of consumer goods passing through Kazakhstan to Russia;
- construction and renovation work to modernise the Syrym checkpoint, which has reduced the number of lanes in operation.
According to the border guards, the reduction in the number of lanes is limiting the checkpoint's capacity.
WHY THE CHECKPOINT IS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT
The Syrym checkpoint, located opposite the Russian multi-lane vehicle checkpoint "Mashakovo", is one of the region's largest transport hubs on the route to Samara and other regions of Russia.
Under normal conditions, around 700–800 lorries passed through it daily.
A major reconstruction of the facility began on 4 August 2025. Due to the construction work, the checkpoint's capacity remains limited. The modernisation is scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2026.
CONTEXT
According to sources for FBRK, lorries on this route are also subject to additional inspection measures to prevent the illegal movement of tobacco products.
FBRK previously published a series of investigations into the illegal tobacco market in Kazakhstan. In two reports, the editorial team discussed the scale of the grey market, which is estimated to account for up to 20% of cigarette sales, as well as the supply routes for contraband products, including the Kyrgyz route.
A separate report was dedicated to the case of Sergei Buri, a person extradited from Russia who was the subject of an investigation into a suspected transnational tobacco smuggling operation. For more details, visit the FBRK YouTube channel:
