Rosselkhoznadzor foils attempt to smuggle Armenian roses into Russia via Belarus

MOSCOW. July 27 (Interfax) - The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has stopped more than 39,000 fresh cut roses from Armenia getting into Russia through Belarus with forged documentation. Import of the product has been restricted since May 22 this year.

A car carrying 39,200 units of the prohibited flower was stopped by Smolensk Customs, a Rosselkhoznadzor statement said on Monday. "The Belarusian-driven vehicle carrying the batch was on the way from the Minsk region to Moscow. In the accompanying documentation, cargo was declared by the carrier as non-alcoholic tonic drinks. An inspection of the cargo section found flowers that lacked phytosanitary and shipping documents. Remnants of the branded labels indicated their Armenian origin," the statement said.

Armenian flower imports and transit have been banned in Russia since May 22, 2026. Imports of all quarantined goods originating or sent from Armenia have been restricted since June 12. The restrictions were imposed to prevent an importation of hazardous quarantined objects into Russia, the agency said.

The contraband roses were destroyed on July 23 at the decision of Rosselkhoznadzor's local branch. The carrier is facing administrative charges.