Russia's Biometric System Bars 70,000 Foreigners at Border

Russia's implementation of a biometric system at its border checkpoints has led to the identification of nearly 70,000 individuals who are prohibited from entering the country. Official representative of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Irina Volk, stated that since the experiment began, approximately 14 million foreigners have passed through border crossings, with almost 70,000 flagged as inadmissible.

Volk highlighted that the system serves a dual purpose: collecting biometric data and detecting individuals who have previously been banned from entry, subsequently changed their identification details, and attempted to re-enter Russia. This technological advancement aims to enhance border security and immigration control.

The biometric data collection experiment commenced on December 1, 2024, initially at Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports, along with the Mashtakov automobile checkpoint in the Orenburg region. The system's reach expanded on May 1, 2025, to include Vnukovo International Airport. In June, 11 more checkpoints were equipped with these systems, spanning various locations including St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Yekaterinburg, and several regions across Russia.

“

The system helps not only to collect biometric data but also to identify those who, after being banned from entry, left the country, changed their identification details and tried to enter Russia again.