Alexander Lukianov, who moved to Berlin and later traveled to Narva, managed to see his friends from Saint Petersburg—but only from a distance. The scene unfolded on the banks of the Narva River: on one side, the Estonian city; on the other, the Russian Ivangorod Fortress. The distance between the friends was roughly 100 meters.

In the video Lukianov posted on social media, they wave to each other and shout across the water, trying to compete with the wind and the distance. Their voices arrive with a delay, phrases are cut short, but the emotions are clear without words.

A Month for Special Permits: How Friends from St. Petersburg Made It to Restricted Ivangorod

Preparing for the meeting took nearly a month. The friends from Saint Petersburg had to apply for special permits, as Ivangorod is located in a restricted border zone with limited access.

Lukianov himself flew to Estonia from Berlin. A route that previously would have taken mere hours has turned into a complex logistical puzzle with numerous restrictions.

Friendship Bridge Closed: Why Friends Had to Shout Across the River in April 2026

The status of the border crossing remains the key detail of this story. The "Friendship" pedestrian bridge, which connects Narva and Ivangorod, is effectively not in use for free border crossings as of April 2026.

This means that even at a minimal distance, a physical meeting remains impossible. People can see each other, but they cannot come any closer.

"Niche Lifehack": Irony and Pain in Alexander Lukianov’s Story

Lukianov ironically dubbed this meeting a "niche lifehack for emigrants." But behind that definition lies a different meaning—a desperate attempt to find any way to maintain a connection.

"We stood on two banks of the same river. So close—and yet still impossible to hug."

This phrase, which has become the most quoted part of the story, captures its essence perfectly.

The Border as an Obstacle: Why 100 Meters in Narva Are Longer Than 1,000 Kilometers to Berlin

The distance between Berlin and Narva is measured in thousands of kilometers. But it was these final hundred meters at the border that proved the most insurmountable, reports fontanka.ru.

Lukianov’s story spread quickly across social media—not because it is unusual, but because it is so recognizable. It isn’t a rarity; it is the "new normal," where borders have once again become physical barriers even for the closest of people.