Dolsk & Machro Border Crossing

A Closed Rural Crossing

Important Note for Travelers: Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the volatile political situation with Belarus, this border crossing is closed and the entire region is a high-risk security zone. It is not operational. This guide is provided for historical and informational purposes only.

The border crossing connecting the Belarusian village of Machro with Dolsk in Ukraine was a small, local checkpoint situated in the heart of the Polesie region. This was a route that offered a journey into the deep rural heartland of the Belarusian-Ukrainian borderlands, a landscape of dense forests, meandering rivers, and quiet villages. It was not a crossing for international transit or heavy freight; its purpose was to serve the local populations on either side of the border. To cross here was to experience the border at its most intimate scale, a simple bridge over the Pripyat River connecting communities that shared a common history and culture.

Operational Details

This checkpoint connected the Brest Region of Belarus with the Volyn Oblast of Ukraine. It was a minor crossing with limited daylight operating hours and was restricted to passenger cars and local traffic. This ensured that the crossing remained a tranquil point of passage, in harmony with its peaceful, rural surroundings. Its existence was a practical acknowledgment of the needs of the local people, allowing them to travel to neighboring villages without making long detours to the major highways.

A History of the Polesie Region

The history of this region is the history of Polesie, a vast lowland that has long been a distinct cultural and geographic zone. The people of this area, known as Poleshuks, have their own unique traditions and dialects, shaped by the forested and often waterlogged environment. The region has been part of various larger states over the centuries, but it has always retained a strong local identity. The border established in the 20th century between the Belarusian SSR and the Ukrainian SSR divided this cohesive region. The Machro-Dolsk crossing was one of the small links that helped to mitigate this division, allowing people to visit relatives, tend to graves, or trade in local markets just a few kilometers away in another country.

Former Border Procedure

The border crossing procedure, when it was operational, was a simple and personal two-part process. Travelers would first complete exit formalities at the small Belarusian checkpoint at Machro. This involved a straightforward check of passports and vehicle documents by the border guards. They would then proceed across the bridge over the Pripyat River to the Ukrainian entry checkpoint at Dolsk for inspection by the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service. A valid passport and vehicle documents, including international insurance (Green Card), were required. Given the very low volume of traffic, the process was typically very fast, with none of the queues or impersonal nature of the major international posts.

The Surrounding Region

The surrounding area is deeply rural and known for its pristine nature. On both the Belarusian and Ukrainian sides, the landscape is a mosaic of pine and birch forests, agricultural fields, and extensive wetlands associated with the Pripyat River basin, one of the largest and wildest river systems in Europe. This region is a haven for wildlife and is popular with hunters, fishermen, and nature lovers. It is an area that appeals to those seeking to escape the cities and experience traditional village life. The nearest town of any significance on the Belarusian side is Ivanava, and on the Ukrainian side, the town of Liubeshiv.

Closure Due to War

The closure of this crossing, like all others on the Belarus-Ukraine border, was an immediate and direct consequence of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Belarus’s complicity in the invasion turned the entire border into a hostile frontier. All checkpoints were sealed, and the area became a militarized zone. The small, peaceful crossing at Machro-Dolsk ceased to exist as a point of passage overnight, and the bridge over the Pripyat became a strategic defensive point rather than a community link.

Final Considerations

The Machro–Dolsk border crossing was a small but vital link for the local communities of the Polesian borderland. It was a testament to a time when border policy could accommodate the simple, everyday needs of people’s lives. Its closure is a tragic but necessary consequence of the war. The quiet country road that once connected neighbors now leads to a fortified and closed border. It is a poignant symbol of how major geopolitical conflicts have a devastating impact on the small, local connections that form the true fabric of a region, turning a familiar path into an impassable and dangerous frontier.