Rosselkhoznadzor thwarted an attempt to import Armenian roses through Belarus

Rosselkhoznadzor prevented the import into Russia through Belarus of more than 39,000 freshly cut roses from Armenia using forged documents.

As reported by Interfax, this was announced by Rosselkhoznadzor.

The vehicle transporting 39,200 flowers prohibited for import into Russia was detained at the Smolensk customs.

"The vehicle carrying this shipment, driven by a citizen of Belarus, was traveling from the Minsk region to Moscow. At the same time, in the accompanying documents, the cargo was declared by the carrier as non-alcoholic energy drinks," the statement said. "During the inspection of the cargo compartment, flowers were discovered for which there were no phytosanitary or shipping documents. The preserved fragments of marking labels indicated their Armenian origin."

Deliveries of flowers from Armenia to Russia, as well as their transit through the territory of Russia, have been banned since May 22, 2026. Since June 12, a restriction has been in effect on the import into Russia of all quarantine-regulated products originating from and shipped from Armenia.

By decision of the territorial department of Rosselkhoznadzor, the shipment of contraband roses was destroyed on July 23. The carrier has been held administratively liable.