Approximately 700 Armenian freight trucks are currently stalled at the “Upper Lars” checkpoint along the Russia-Georgia border. This congestion is attributed to adverse weather conditions along the strategic Gudauri-Kobi section of the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Lars international road, which is a vital route connecting Armenia to Russia markets.
According to the North Ossetian Traffic Management Center, the Upper Lars crossing point, a critical juncture for trade between Russia and Armenia, is experiencing heavy delays due to snow and ice, which have made the road impassable for heavy trucks. In total, more than 2,170 vehicles from various countries are currently in line to cross the checkpoint, with Armenian trucks constituting a significant portion—677 in total.
For Armenia, which relies heavily on the Upper Lars route for trade with Russia, these delays present a significant challenge. With prolonged delays, perishable goods risk spoilage, and delivery schedules are significantly disrupted, impacting Armenian businesses relying on consistent trade flows through this corridor.
The situation at the Upper Lars checkpoint underlines Armenia’s ongoing vulnerability due to its reliance on this single transport corridor for overland access to major markets. Given Armenia’s geographical constraints and limited direct access to the sea, the country has limited alternate routes for freight transport, making it particularly susceptible to delays caused by both natural and geopolitical factors.
To alleviate future disruptions, Armenia is exploring options to diversify its transport routes, including potential collaborations on new roadways or transport agreements with neighboring countries. However, such initiatives require significant investment and regional cooperation, which can take years to materialize. In the immediate term, Armenian transport and trade agencies are closely monitoring the situation at the Upper Lars checkpoint, hoping for improved weather conditions that will allow freight traffic to resume at normal capacity.
The bottleneck at Upper Lars highlights Armenia’s logistical challenges and the urgent need for more resilient trade routes. With Armenian trucks now forming a significant part of the traffic waiting to cross, this incident serves as a reminder of the critical role that infrastructure and weather-resilient logistics play in the stability and growth of regional trade.