Security Forces Reply to Blogger Detained at Koltsovo with Daughter

Representatives of the border control department of the FSB have responded to the claims of blogger Aleksandra Kotskaya. In late January, she and her young daughter found themselves in an unpleasant situation at Koltsovo airport. Upon returning from a trip to Kazakhstan, they were detained in the border control area because the child had a birth certificate, not a passport, as required by new rules that came into force on January 20.

The blogger stated that she was treated rudely and was «threatened to be locked in a small room for those with document problems.» However, the security forces see it differently.

«The procedure for these individuals to pass through border control took 18 minutes. Part of this time, at the request of the passenger with a child, was needed to explain to them the rules and procedures for minor Russian citizens crossing the state border of the Russian Federation. An examination of control measures indicates that the employees of the Koltsovo checkpoint acted lawfully and correctly,» stated the border control department of the FSB of Russia for the Chelyabinsk region.

The migration service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs explained that from January 20, 2026, a birth certificate will not be considered a document with which children under 14 can cross the border of the Russian Federation. For all trips, including visits to Abkhazia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and South Ossetia, a foreign passport is now required.

However, children under the age of 14 who left the country with a birth certificate before January 20, 2026, will be able to return to the country with the certificate. Aleksandra and her family flew out of Russia on January 17. What caused the difficulties at border control is unknown.

In the spring, we reported on who Sasha Kotskaya is and how she became famous, and also published an interview with her. In June, she became a mother for the first time.