Novye Yurkovichi (Belarus/Russia tripoint) & Senkivka Border Crossing

Google Maps Location Approx

Border Countries

🇺🇦 Ukraine 🇷🇺 Russia

Nearest Cities

🇺🇦 Senkivka, 🇷🇺 Novye Yurkovichi (Belarus/Russia tripoint)

Coordinates

52.00°N, 32.00°E

Border Type

Land crossing via road

Operating Hours

Open 24 hours

Wait Times

30-180 min for pedestrians/vehicles

Peak Times

Mornings (7-10 AM), weekends

Crossing Types

Pedestrians, vehicles, commercial

Daily Crossings

~10000 travelers/vehicles

Languages Spoken

Ukrainian/Russian

Currency Exchange

Available near Senkivka (UAH, RUB)

Connectivity Options

Wi-Fi at checkpoints, 4G/5G

Accessibility Features

Ramps, elevators

Safety Information

Busy, security concerns

Emergency Contacts

🇺🇦 112 🇷🇺 112/102

Google Maps Location Approx

View on Google Maps

About 🇷🇺 Novye Yurkovichi (Belarus/Russia tripoint), 🇺🇦 Senkivka

The “Three Sisters” Crossing

Important Note for Travelers: Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, 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 Senkivka in Ukraine with Novye Yurkovichi in Russia was part of one of the most symbolic and unique border areas in Eastern Europe. It is located at the tripoint where the borders of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus meet. For decades, this spot was known as the “Three Sisters,” a place that celebrated the perceived brotherhood and shared Slavic heritage of the three nations. A large monument was erected here, and an annual “Festival of Slavic Unity” brought people from all three countries together. To cross here was to pass through a place that was once a symbol of friendship but has now become a symbol of profound division and conflict.

Operational Details

This checkpoint connected Ukraine’s Chernihiv Oblast with Russia’s Bryansk Oblast. It was a major international crossing, operating 24/7 and open to all traffic. It was a key route for those traveling between northern Ukraine and central Russia. The crossing’s official name on the Ukrainian side is Senkivka. Its unique location at the tripoint gave it a special status among the border posts, as it was directly adjacent to the Vyesyalowka checkpoint on the Belarus-Ukraine border.

A History of Friendship and Division

The history of this location as a symbol of unity is a Soviet-era creation. The “Three Sisters” monument was erected in 1975 to commemorate the shared struggle of the three Soviet republics during World War II. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the three newly independent states continued the tradition, and the annual festival became a major cross-border event, with concerts, craft fairs, and family reunions. It was a powerful symbol of the deep cultural, linguistic, and family ties that connected the three nations. However, this spirit of friendship began to erode after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and was completely shattered by the full-scale invasion in 2022.

Former Border Procedure

The border crossing procedure, when it was operational, was a standard two-part process. Travelers would first complete exit formalities at the Ukrainian checkpoint at Senkivka. This involved checks by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and customs officials. They would then proceed to the Russian entry checkpoint at Novye Yurkovichi for a full inspection by the Russian Border Guard Service and Federal Customs Service. A valid passport and, if required, a Russian visa were necessary. The tripoint nature of the location made it a complex logistical point for the border services.

The Surrounding Region

The surrounding area is a rural landscape of forests and fields. On the Ukrainian side, the crossing is the gateway to the Chernihiv Oblast. The historic city of Chernihiv, one of the oldest cities in Ukraine with magnificent ancient churches, is about two hours’ drive away. On the Russian side, the crossing leads into the Bryansk Oblast, a region known for its dense forests, which were a center of the Soviet partisan movement during World War II. The main attraction of the crossing itself was the “Three Sisters” monument and the annual festival, which drew thousands of visitors to this remote corner of the three countries.

Closure Due to War

The closure of this crossing was an immediate and direct consequence of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The area was a key staging ground for Russian forces entering Ukraine. The festival of friendship became a frontline of conflict. The Ukrainian authorities sealed the border, and the area became a heavily militarized zone. In 2023, the Ukrainian authorities reportedly dismantled the part of the road that led to the monument and the Russian border, a powerful symbolic act of severing ties. The “Three Sisters” are now separated by fortifications and minefields.

Final Considerations

The Senkivka–Novye Yurkovichi border crossing is a place of tragic transformation. It was once a powerful symbol of Slavic unity and cross-border friendship, a place where people celebrated a shared heritage. Today, it is a stark symbol of a brutal war and a shattered brotherhood. The silent monument stands in a militarized zone, a lonely testament to a past that seems impossibly distant. The story of this crossing is a poignant lesson in how quickly symbols of peace can become relics of a bygone era in the face of aggression and conflict.