Russia-Georgia border crossing data dispute reveals traffic patterns, not mobilization

August 20, 2026 at 10:01 PM2 min

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Russia's Federal Customs Service reported a record 20,000 people crossing the Verkhny Lars border point on August 18, sparking speculation about a new mobilization wave. Georgia's Interior Ministry countered that 7,880 people entered Georgia and 8,406 left for Russia in one day, calling the Russian figure unverified. The discrepancy was later explained by Russia's inclusion of both directions and a recent border closure due to mudslide risk.

Key Facts

Russia's Federal Customs Service reported a record 20,000 people crossed the Verkhny Lars border point on August 18.
Georgia's Interior Ministry said 7,880 people entered Georgia and 8,406 left for Russia in one day, calling the Russian figure unverified.
The border point was closed on August 13 due to mudslide risk after heavy rains, causing a backlog of vehicles.
Russia's Federal Customs Service later clarified that its 20,000 figure included both directions and that on August 19 the total was just over 16,000.

Data Discrepancy

Russia's Federal Customs Service announced a record passenger flow of 20,000 people at the Verkhny Lars checkpoint on August 18. Georgia's Interior Ministry disputed the figure, reporting 7,880 entries into Georgia and 8,406 exits to Russia in one day. The Georgian ministry urged citizens and media to refrain from spreading unverified information. Russia's Federal Customs Service later clarified that its statistics included both directions, with a total of just over 16,000 crossings on August 19.

Traffic Causes

Videos on social media showed queues of cars and trucks in both directions at the border, not only from Russia to Georgia. Commenters on an Instagram account with 130,000 followers noted that such queues are common and linked them to the end of vacation season and truck congestion in the tunnel. The checkpoint was closed on August 13 due to mudslide risk after heavy rains, causing a backlog of vehicles. Russia's Federal Customs Service stated that the higher passenger flow is currently in the direction of entry into Russia, related to the end of the holiday season.