There is one legal border crossing point between Norway and Russia, with stations on both sides, at Storskog in Norway and Borisoglebsky in Russia, located on the E105 highway some 15 km east of Kirkenes. There are passport and customs facilities on both sides of the border. There is also a duty free shop on the Russian side. We contacted the Norwegian authorities to ask permission to enter the restricted zone to take photographs of BM# 211 which is situated immediately behind the Norwegian building.
Permission was sadly refused. When we visited the border crossing we again tried to ask for permission and this was again refused. All photos were to be taken from the access gate.
I visited this point as part of the IBRG ARTEX-24 expedition.
By any definition this is a serious border, it is a Schengen border, it is also a border between NATO and Russia. The time difference at the border is 2 hours.
Previously, the border crossing was much busier, and although at the time of writing this is the only road crossing point open between the west and Russia, very few people cross. Local residents (those who live within 30km of the border), used to be able to get a permit to allow visit up to 30 km from the border on the other side. Many Russians used to shop in Kirkenes, this has now stopped to the detriment of local businesses. Russian tourists also cannot pass, although this was one of the last crossing points into the Schengen area to close.
Another cross border collaboration which has stopped is the stopping of Russian fishing boats being repaired in Kirkenes.
The gate
We tried but failed, so our vantage point was the main access gate.
The Norwegian side
When we explored the Pikeneset enclave we had an excellent view across the lake to the border control facilities.
The border and BM#211
After seeing so many border markers, many in quite remote places, it seemed strange that there 2 very accessible ones which we were not able to visit.
The best I could capture is on the left, thanks to a 400mm lens it is possible to see the border signage and the 2 border markers. 2 barriers are across the road, in the countries border marker colours respectively. No body crossing at the moment, not least pedestrians.
Previous IBRG member visits
Fellow IBRG members and friends have been more successful in their attempts to visit the actual border at this point. Time and circumstances have clearly changed. Many thanks for sharing their photos.
The Russian side
Although there was no opportunity to visit Russia there were a number of vantage points to see some of the facilities on the other side.
The road to Kirkenes
The E105 between Russia’s border to Norway and Murmansk is a significant transport route. Over recent years there have been significant upgrades on both sides of the border leading to the journey between Kirkenes and Murmansk being only 3 hours (if political circumstances allow).
The Bøkfjord Bridge (Cost NOK 875 million/ EUR 90 million) across the Pasvik River is 284 meters long, it’s arch is 120m. Built in Germany and towed north along the coast of Norway the bridge was lifted into position by cranes. It removes the need to use the old narrow Elvenes Bridge and its adjacent residential area. Opened for traffic on 28 September 2017, it was inaugurated by the minister of transport Ketil Solvik-Olsen (Norway) and vice minister of transport Sergey Aristov (Russia), religious leaders from both countries blessed the bridge.
Date of Visit: 15 June 2024
Barry's Borderpoints 