What to Do If They Demand Your Phone at the Border? Is This Now Legal? How to Answer Border Guards’ Questions? We Explain in a New Guide

What to do if they demand your phone at the border? Is this now legal? How should you answer border guards’ questions? We explain in a new guideIn conditions of war and repression, crossing the Russian border is stressful and risky for anyone.

On top of that, in mid-April the media circulated information that the FSB had allegedly gained the right to demand that people unlock their phone or laptop when crossing the border. In fact, the new version of the law “On the State Border” only allows them to “inspect and examine” items a person has with them. But even that sounds alarming.

Preparing in advance for the trip helps you feel calmer. It should not be neglected, even if border guards have never before asked you or your loved ones additional questions.

➡️ How the screening works, what they may ask about, how to prepare your phone for crossing the border: we answer these and other questions together with the team of the “Golden Key” project in a joint guide.

🔗 Read it yourself and share it with those for whom it is relevant.

The guide can also be downloaded in PDF format: open the “Contents” menu on the instruction page and scroll it all the way down.

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Crossing the Russian Border: Border Guards’ Questions, Phone Checks, and Safety Measures 2026 | OVD-Info

Learn how to prepare for crossing the Russian border in 2026. A detailed guide from OVD-Info and “Golden Key”: what border guards ask about, how to answer questions about politics and the “special military operation,” how to secure your phone, and what to do if you are detained.