Seven checkpoints operating on Ukraine border in Belgorod region

BELGOROD. March 1 (Interfax) - The Belgorod region is taking in refugees from Ukraine through seven checkpoints, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram on Tuesday.

"There have been lots of family reunification requests in recent days. People in the Belgorod region seek to bring in their kin from Kharkiv, Liptsy and other populated localities in Ukraine. According to the Russian Federal Security Service's border department in the Belgorod and Voronezh regions, seven checkpoints are operating in the area," Gladkov said.

The following checkpoints are now open: the Nekhoteyevka multilateral motor checkpoint in the Belgorod district and the Shebekino multilateral motor checkpoint in the Shebekino urban area; the Grayvoron multilateral motor checkpoint in the Grayvoron district; the Kolotilovka interstate motor checkpoint in the Krasnaya Yaruga district; the Verigovka and Logachyovka interstate motor checkpoints in the Valuyki urban area; and the Rovenky multilateral motor checkpoint in the Rovenky district.

The border can be crossed by car or by foot, the governor said, adding that travelers needed either domestic or international travel passports for citizens of Russia or Ukraine, and minors were required to present their birth certificates.

More than 1,000 refugees crossed into the Belgorod region over the past week. Most of them are staying with families, and about 450 are living in shelters. The region has more shelters in reserve.

Ukraine suspended operation of checkpoints along the entire border with Russia on February 28.