Border crossing Mariupol (UA) to Rostov (RUS) - possible?
 

Hello riders,

I have a plan to ride around black sea, but due to the recent geopolitical events involved Ukraine and Russia, I'm nearly sure it'd be a bad idea to take any of the borders in Doneck (and Luhansk) oblast.

I'm wondering if anyone did it recently or has first hand information that is relatively fresh?

Thanks, neu

In short, no.

You could theoretically cross from Russia to DPR with permission from the DPR authorities, but as an active conflict zone it's probably not a good idea to approach the frontline, though I can't say I've tried.

I would recommend you to cross on the Kharkov to Belgorod highway.

You can cross further east, at Prosyane / Bugayevka (I did it in March last year) but the roads into Lugansk Oblast (which is not entirely under occupation), even by the terrible standards of Ukrainian roads, are appalling.

You'll have to deviate anyhow from the Black Sea to go around Abkhazia. You could take a ferry from Odessa to Poti.

EO

Thank you EO!

This is what I thought, no surprise...I know about the Ferry option but it's slow, unpredictable due to weather and traffic also kills the "around" part of the "Around the Black Sea" idea :)

Going around Abkazia wouldn't be a problem as apparently Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) provides a border crossing option east of South Osethia. The goal is not to stick the coasts of Black sea but to actually go around. But several days deviation would make this trip much longer than I could afford in terms of time.

Probably it make sense to wait until further developments in stability in the region - which might not happen anytime soon....

Thanks!
neu