Finland Closes Some Border Crossings with Russia

The Finnish government has decided to close certain border crossing points with Russia on the night of Friday, November 18, due to an increasing influx of asylum seekers. Officials state that Russian border guards are intentionally allowing people without proper travel documents to cross, as reported by ERR.

"This is not an acute emergency situation but an organized operation. The work of Russian border authorities has changed, and they have started letting people without the necessary documents cross the border," said Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

According to Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen, Finland had to respond to the growing number of asylum seekers.

"This decision is based on conclusions and information from border guards and other agencies. There are clear indications that the authorities of a foreign state played a role in the arrival of individuals who illegally crossed the border," noted the official.

The border crossing points that will be inaccessible from 00:00 on November 18 include the border stations of Imatra, Niirala, Nuijamaa, and Vaalimaa. These restrictions will remain in effect until February 18, 2024.

Simultaneously, it is mentioned that individuals arriving from Russia can apply for international protection at the northern border crossing points of Vartius and Salla, which, along with Kuusamo and Raya-Jooseppi, will remain open.

This week, Finland's Minister of the Interior, Mari Rantanen, stated that the government is preparing a response to the increasing flow of asylum seekers across the border from Russia. This comes in response to reports from Finnish border guards that a significant number of people without entry documents have attempted to pass through the crossing points on the southeast border in recent months. The Finnish government has not ruled out the possibility of a complete border closure with Russia.

The Gaze has previously reported that Finnish border guards in the southeastern part of the country have stopped allowing individuals arriving from Russia on bicycles to enter the country. The Finnish Border Guard noted that the number of illegal immigrants attempting to enter Finland on bicycles is on the rise. According to border guards, people who previously crossed the border on bicycles used them for short local trips, but now they are attempting to cross the border without the necessary documents, functional bicycle lights, and helmets.