A massive truck line has developed on the Poland-Belarus border as Russian and Belarussian truckers try to escape the EU before a deadline for penalties.

The queue grew to 80 kilometres (60 miles) in the days leading up to the Saturday deadline, with some people delayed for up to 33 hours.

The EU has barred Russian and Belarusian truckers from entering or remaining in the bloc, with the exception of those transporting medication, mail, or petroleum products.

The action is part of a broader set of measures imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Long lines remained as the midnight deadline approached, according to drone footage provided by the Reuters news agency.

“There are still many kilometres to travel… therefore it’s unrealistic,” a Belarusian driver was quoted as saying about his odds of making it across the border in time.

According to the BBC’s Adam Easton in Warsaw, hours after the deadline had passed, waiting times had been reduced to 12 hours, with the number of trucks at two border crossings ranging from 230 to 400 vehicles.

However, it’s unclear what would happen to the tens of thousands of other vehicles from the two nations that are now on EU soil.

It’s possible that they’ll be apprehended by national officials.

A Polish official representing transport organisations voiced fear that such a step may lead to similar measures being taken against Polish vehicles returning home via Russia and Belarus.

Russia and its key ally, Belarus, have been sanctioned by the EU and a number of other Western countries.

Both nations have responded with their own measures.