EU to Send Border Guards and Equipment to Finland to Strengthen Eastern Border With Russia

The European Union has announced that the EU border agency, FRONTEX, will send border officers and equipment to Finland to help handle the influx of migrants on the eastern border with Russia.

This was reported by the official FRONTEX website.

According to the official FRONTEX page, at least 50 border officers and other personnel, along with equipment, including patrol cars, will be sent to the Finnish borders "to bolster Finland’s border control activities."

The first reinforcement group is expected to arrive next week, consisting of border security officers, migrant registration specialists, documentation experts, and translators. Currently, ten FRONTEX officers are already working on the Finnish borders.

"Frontex’s support to Finland goes beyond logistics; it’s a demonstration of the European Union’s unified stand against hybrid challenges affecting one of its members. This collaboration shows that when facing complex border issues, Europe stands united, offering support through tangible actions," said Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens.

The announcement also notes that Finland's territorial borders, stretching 1,340 kilometers, are also EU borders, making their security a matter of "collective European interest."

FRONTEX will also ensure humanitarian needs, supporting and respecting the "fundamental rights and dignity of all individuals" crossing the Finnish border. These individuals mainly include asylum seekers from third countries such as Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia, who lack the necessary documentation.

It is worth noting that in November alone, over 500 asylum seekers arrived in Finland from the border with Russia. Over the weekend, after the closure of border crossings in southeastern Finland, a total of 83 asylum seekers arrived at the "Vartius" border crossing into Finland. Of these, 75 asylum seekers arrived at the "Vartius" and "Salla" border crossings on Wednesday.

Due to the heightened situation, Finland has initiated the construction of a fence at the "Vartius" border crossing near Russia, and military personnel have been deployed to assist border guards.

Finland terminated the agreement with the Russian Federation on a simplified visa regime in August 2022. Thereafter, Russia ceased restricting access to the border for people without proper visas.