
Approximate Border Location
Wait Times
20–60 min
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Operating Hours
6:00 AM–8:00 PM
Crossing Types
Pedestrians, vehicles
Border Type
Land crossing via road
Peak Times
7–10 AM
Daily Crossings
700–1,100 daily
Currency Exchange
Local exchange; BYN, UAH
Safety Information
Quiet area; minimal crime
Languages Spoken
Belarusian/Ukrainian
Accessibility Features
Ramps available
About Hluškavičy and Maidan Kopyshchansky
Monthly Update (February 2026):
Long pauses are common at the Horodyshche & Verkhnii Terebezhov Border Crossing, broken by brief moments of steady movement. Recent weeks have felt variable rather than consistent. Vehicles heading into Ukraine tend to clear last. Weather and sporadic traffic bursts keep timing uncertain.
A Closed Local 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 as of early 2026. This guide is provided for historical and informational purposes only. The border crossing connecting the Belarusian village of Verkhnii Terebezhov with Horodyshche in Ukraine was a small, local checkpoint situated in a deeply rural part of the Polesie region. This was a route that served the needs of the local communities, a simple passage through a landscape of forests, fields, and small rivers. It was not a crossing designed for international transit or heavy commerce; its purpose was to allow residents to maintain the close-knit social and economic ties that have long characterized this borderland. To cross here was to experience the border at its most fundamental level: a line that people needed to cross to go about their daily lives.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connected the Brest Region of Belarus with the Rivne 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 quiet and integrated part of the local landscape. Its existence was a practical solution to the challenges posed by a border that cut through a historically cohesive area, allowing for a degree of normalcy and convenience for the local population.
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 region. The Verkhnii Terebezhov-Horodyshche crossing was one of the small links that helped to mitigate this division, allowing people to visit relatives, access markets, or work on land that was now 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 Verkhnii Terebezhov. This involved a straightforward check of passports and vehicle documents by the border guards. They would then proceed to the Ukrainian entry checkpoint at Horodyshche 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 natural beauty. On both the Belarusian and Ukrainian sides, the landscape is a mosaic of pine and birch forests, agricultural fields, and extensive wetlands. This is a region 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 Stolin, and on the Ukrainian side, the town of Dubrovytsia. The region is popular for its traditional crafts, folklore, and its pristine natural environment, offering opportunities for hunting, fishing, and foraging.
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 Verkhnii Terebezhov-Horodyshche ceased to exist as a point of passage overnight, with the situation unchanged as of early 2026 due to the continued conflict and no reopening indicated.
Final Considerations
The Verkhnii Terebezhov and Horodyshche 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. **Article 2:**
A Closed River 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 as of early 2026. This guide is provided for historical and informational purposes only. The border crossing connecting the Belarusian village of Nievieĺ with Prykladniki in Ukraine was a unique and seasonal checkpoint. It was not a bridge but a pontoon or ferry crossing over the Pripyat River, one of the largest and wildest rivers in Eastern Europe. This was a crossing that was deeply connected to the rhythms of nature, operating only during the warmer months when the river was navigable and the temporary bridge could be safely deployed. It served the remote, sparsely populated communities of the deep Polesie region, a land of immense forests and impenetrable marshes. To cross here was to experience the border at its most rustic and elemental.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connected the Brest Region of Belarus with the Rivne Oblast of Ukraine. It was a very minor, seasonal crossing, intended only for local residents, pedestrians, and perhaps very light vehicles. Its operation was entirely dependent on the weather and the river conditions. The deployment of the pontoon bridge was an annual event, a vital link for the summer months that disappeared with the coming of winter ice. Its purpose was purely to facilitate local life in one of the most remote and inaccessible parts of the border.
Before Crossing
Crossing borders gets messy sometimes, think political flare-ups or gates shutting fast. Good travel insurance is a must for handling doctor visits, trip disruptions, or security scares. Don’t get caught unprepared. To find a policy that’s got your back, check out reliable plans today for peace of mind.
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 region. The Nievieĺ-Prykladniki crossing was one of the most basic but essential links that helped to mitigate this division for the people living in the heart of the Pripyat marshes.
Former Border Procedure
The border crossing procedure, when it was operational, was a very simple and informal affair. It would have involved small checkpoints on either bank of the river, staffed by border guards during the operational season. Travelers, likely on foot, by bicycle, or perhaps in a small car, would have had their documents checked before being allowed to cross the pontoon bridge. It was a border crossing at its most human and least intimidating scale, a world away from the massive international terminals.
The Surrounding Region
The surrounding area is one of the wildest and most pristine natural landscapes in Europe. The Pripyat River and its vast floodplain create a huge network of wetlands, marshes, and forests, teeming with wildlife. This is a region that appeals to the most adventurous nature lovers, birdwatchers, and those seeking to experience a landscape that has changed little for centuries. The nearest town of any significance on the Belarusian side is Pinsk, and on the Ukrainian side, the town of Zarichne. The entire area is deeply rural, with traditional wooden architecture and a way of life that is still closely tied to the land and the river.
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 simple pontoon bridge at Nievieĺ-Prykladniki was removed, and the river became a hard, impassable military barrier, with no changes as of early 2026.
Final Considerations
The Nievieĺ and Prykladniki border crossing was a small, seasonal link that was nonetheless vital for the isolated communities of the deep Polesie. It was a testament to a way of life governed by the seasons and the river. Its closure is a tragic but necessary consequence of the war. The place where a simple pontoon once connected neighbors is now a fortified and closed border. It is a poignant symbol of how major geopolitical conflicts can extinguish even the smallest, most fundamental human connections, turning a shared river into a dividing line of conflict. **Article 3:**
A Closed Industrial 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 as of early 2026. This guide is provided for historical and informational purposes only. The border crossing connecting the Belarusian village of Hluškavičy with Maidan Kopyshchansky in Ukraine was a specialized checkpoint with a unique industrial purpose. Situated in a remote, heavily forested area, this crossing’s primary function was to serve the large granite quarry located at Hluškavičy. It was a route for heavy trucks transporting stone and other materials, a piece of industrial infrastructure that happened to straddle an international border. While it also served as a local crossing for residents, its character was overwhelmingly defined by the quarrying industry. To cross here was to take a journey through a landscape shaped by both nature and heavy industry.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connected the Gomel Region of Belarus with the Zhytomyr Oblast of Ukraine. It was a smaller crossing with limited daylight operating hours. Its main purpose was to facilitate the transport of granite from the Hluškavičy quarry, which is a major local employer. The road was used by a constant stream of heavy-duty trucks. It also allowed for the passage of local residents in passenger cars, providing a convenient link in this otherwise remote region.
Before Crossing
Crossing borders gets messy sometimes, think political flare-ups or gates shutting fast. Good travel insurance is a must for handling doctor visits, trip disruptions, or security scares. Don’t get caught unprepared. To find a policy that’s got your back, check out reliable plans today for peace of mind.
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 region. The Hluškavičy-Maidan Kopyshchansky crossing was a practical solution to an economic reality: a major industrial site in Belarus that needed access to markets and transport routes in Ukraine.
Former Border Procedure
The border crossing procedure, when it was operational, was a standard two-part process, but with a focus on commercial traffic. Truck drivers would have had their cargo manifests and transport permits thoroughly checked by customs officials on both sides. Passenger cars would have undergone the standard passport and vehicle document checks. Travelers would first complete exit formalities at the Belarusian checkpoint at Hluškavičy. They would then proceed to the Ukrainian entry checkpoint at Maidan Kopyshchansky for inspection by the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service. Due to the industrial nature of the traffic, the process could be slow, even with a relatively low number of vehicles.
The Surrounding Region
The surrounding area is deeply rural and heavily forested. On the Belarusian side, the Hluškavičy granite quarry is the dominant feature of the landscape. The nearest town of any significance is Lelchytsy. On the Ukrainian side, the crossing leads into the northern part of the Zhytomyr Oblast, an area known for its forests and its history of partisan resistance during World War II. The nearest Ukrainian town is Olevsk. This entire region is part of the vast Pripyat Marshes, one of the largest wetland areas in Europe.
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 industrial traffic from the Hluškavičy quarry came to an abrupt halt, severing a key economic link for the local Belarusian community, with no changes as of early 2026.
Final Considerations
The Hluškavičy and Maidan Kopyshchansky border crossing was a unique example of a checkpoint that existed primarily for an industrial purpose. It was a vital economic link for the local community in Belarus, a testament to the cross-border economic interdependencies that existed before the war. Its closure is a tragic but necessary consequence of the conflict. The road that once carried heavy trucks loaded with granite now stands silent and empty, a symbol of a shattered economic relationship and a severed community lifeline.
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