Georgian-Russian border reopened

The only usable land border crossing between Georgia and Russia reopened Monday after more than three years of closure, restoring a vital route between Russia and the strategic South Caucasus.

The crossing, known as Verkhny Lars in Russia and Darial Gorge in Georgia, reopened at 7:00 am local time (0300 GMT), foreign media reported.

The checkpoint runs through a narrow pass in the Caucasus Mountains, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) from the Georgian capital Tbilisi, amid craggy snow-covered peaks.