Governor Alexey Ostrovskiy flew over the border area in a helicopter

As Chairman of the Coordinating Council for Border Policy under the Administration of Smolensk region, Governor Alexey Ostrovskiy, together with the heads of the law enforcement agencies, flew over the border area in a helicopter.

Summing up the results of the helicopter flight, Governor Alexey Ostrovskiy said: "Taking care of the Smolensk section of the Russian-Belarusian border is my daily duty as the head of the Regional Coordinating Council for Border Policy and the chairman of the regional Antiterrorist Commission. We see to these tasks in constant interaction with the heads of the Directorate of the Federal Security Service of Russia in Smolensk region and of the regional Frontier Directorate of the Federal Security Service of Russia.

Every day I receive information from the reports of the heads of these law enforcement agencies on the situation at the border. However, similar joint flights around the border within Smolensk region is an effective opportunity to look at the current state of affairs from the air. Moreover, this is important in regard of holding the FIFA 2018 World Cup to ensure that those who want to get to Russia and watch the Championship have every chance to do it.

Today, we have made sure that the situation on the section of the Russian-Belarusian border is calm, there is no congestion, and no traffic jams in the way of those who wish to enter Russia. We are very pleased that a significant number of tourists and fans are coming to visit us. The Russian Federation has created every opportunity for their passage through our border to be calm and comfortable.”