20:37 17-10-2025

Zaporozhye’s Vasilyevka Corridor Will Not Reopen

RusPhotoBank

Governor Yevgeny Balitsky announced that the Vasilyevka humanitarian corridor linking Russia and Ukraine will remain closed due to security concerns.

The only humanitarian corridor linking Russia and Ukraine, which passed through Vasilyevka in the Zaporozhye region, will not reopen. The decision was confirmed by regional governor Yevgeny Balitsky.

According to Balitsky, the corridor’s operation caused more difficulties than benefits, and its reopening is no longer being considered. He explained that when the route was first established, it served a clear purpose — many residents were still undecided about their future and wanted to return home.

The governor noted that local authorities had deliberately taken that step to allow civilians to cross the line of contact. However, he said the passage was soon exploited by saboteurs and militants attempting to infiltrate the region. Explosives were smuggled in, while vehicles and other property were illegally taken out.

Balitsky emphasized that the authorities had been fully aware of the risks but chose to open the corridor to give people the freedom to move in either direction. He added that the crossing was available even to those who preferred to leave the region and align themselves with Kiev’s position.