Navigating to Crimea with the Crimean bridge blocked: exploring alternate travel paths; illustrated by a map.
In light of the traffic jam on the Crimean Bridge, tourists are advised to consider an alternative route for travel to Crimea. This route passes through Rostov-on-Don, Taganrog, Mariupol, Melitopol, and Dzhankoy.
Route Overview
The conventional rail and road connections involving Mariupol and Melitopol are significantly affected by active military operations. The journey is long, approximately 400 km, taking about 5-6 hours to travel. Navigation on this alternative route works almost without interruptions, making it possible to navigate with offline maps, which is advisable due to the fluid security situation.
Checkpoints and Passport Control
Traveling overland through this corridor involves passing through multiple occupied territories with Russian-installed administration, which enforce stringent border controls and checkpoints. It is necessary to bring documents (passport for adults, birth certificate for children) for passing through checkpoints. Risks include detentions or prosecutions for illegal crossings or suspected affiliations with Ukrainian forces or resistance.
Rest Spots and Support Services
Information on rest spots along this route is scarce due to security and conflict conditions. However, for those passing through the Zaporizhzhia region via highways M-14 and M-18, there are several rest spots: Akimovka, Konstantinovka, Priazovske, Primorsk, and Osipenko in the Berdyansk district. Gas stations are located 50-100 km apart and can be used for breaks.
Pros and Cons
The pros of this route include bypassing direct crossing over the Crimean Bridge, which is vulnerable to Ukrainian missile attacks and surveillance. The route connects important logistical hubs and may offer alternatives if certain segments are functional.
However, the route is unstable and dangerous due to ongoing military conflict, attacks on infrastructure, and high security risks including potential arrest, forced interrogation, or worse. Road and rail conditions are unpredictable because of Russian-Ukrainian hostilities. Some cities along the route like Mariupol are heavily damaged or contested.
Important Considerations
Given the ongoing war, damaged infrastructure, and security risks at checkpoints, this alternate route is a challenging option for civilian travel. Travelers should carefully assess the current military and security situation through reliable sources and avoid areas near front lines or contested zones.
A map of rest spots for the alternative route can be found in the article, and it is recommended to download offline maps for use without an internet connection. More details about the alternative route can be found in the article.
[1] BBC News, "Crimea: Ukraine attacks railway lines in occupied territory," 17 April 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61046148 [2] The Guardian, "Mariupol: Ukraine's 'ghost city' where the war grinds on," 12 May 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/12/mariupol-ukraines-ghost-city-where-the-war-grinds-on [3] Reuters, "Russia aims to restore and modernise rail links to Crimea," 19 April 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-aims-restore-and-modernise-rail-links-crimea-2022-04-19/ [4] The Washington Post, "Russia is building a new highway to Crimea, and Ukraine is trying to blow it up," 17 April 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/17/russia-crimea-bridge-highway-ukraine/ [5] Human Rights Watch, "Russia: Abuses Against Ukrainian Captives in Donbas," 11 May 2022, https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/05/11/russia-abuses-against-ukrainian-captives-donbas
The alternative route to Crimea passes through significant regions such as Rostov-on-Don, Taganrog, Mariupol, Melitopol, and Dzhankoy, providing a possibility for tourists to bypass the potential danger of crossing over the Crimean Bridge. However, this route is unstable and dangerous due to ongoing military conflict, making it necessary to carefully assess the current security situation and potentially adjust lifestyle choices for travelers seeking safety on this journey.
