According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, reports that 20,000 Russian citizens crossed into Georgia through the Lars customs checkpoint over the past 24 hours are false.

According to the ministry’s statement, over the 24-hour period, a total of 7,880 citizens of various countries crossed Georgia’s state border through the Lars customs checkpoint.

“Information is being circulated in various media outlets and on social networks claiming that 20,000 Russian citizens crossed the Georgian border through the Lars customs checkpoint over the past 24 hours.

“For the purpose of informing the public, we would like to clarify that this information is not true and serves the purpose of deliberately spreading disinformation by certain interested parties. We clarify that, according to data from the past 24 hours, 7,880 citizens of various countries crossed Georgia’s state border through the Lars customs checkpoint.

“During the same period, 8,406 citizens of various countries left the country through the same checkpoint.

“We call on all interested parties to refrain from spreading unverified information, as well as from presenting different data through incorrect interpretation or in a distorted form,” the statement said.

For context, according to Russia’s Federal Customs Service, on August 18, 20,000 people crossed the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russia-Georgia border. According to Russia’s Federal Customs Service, this was a record figure.

“Similar dynamics have been observed for several days already: on August 15 and 16, 19,000 people crossed the checkpoint each day. The current figures significantly exceed those recorded during the same period in previous years,” the Russian Federal Customs Service said in a statement.

The statement also noted that customs and border services are taking all necessary measures to ensure the uninterrupted movement of vehicles.

“Shifts have been increased and additional personnel have been involved, which makes it possible to increase the checkpoint’s capacity and speed up the processing of vehicles,” the statement said.