Finland strengthens border patrol to check illegal entry from Russia

Finnish Border Guard strengthened security measures at the eastern border to check influx of asylum seekers from Russia, Border Guard sources said.

The authority took the measures sensing possible moves by the illegal immigrants to arrive in Finland from Russia.

“Finnish Border Guard has intensified border surveillance at Finnish-Russian land border. More patrolling, technical surveillance and Frontex Standing Corps, “ Matti Pitkäniitty, Head of International Affairs Unit of Finnish Border Guard wrote in a post in social media platform X late Tuesday night.

He also said that the temperatures was around minus 20 degrees Celsius and more than 60 centimeters snow remained at the Finnish side of the border in North Karelia.

Earlier, National Broadcaster Yle, quoting recently arrived asylum seekers reported that about 2000 to 3000 asylum seekers were awaiting at the Russian side to arrive Finland, although Border Guard said that the number is not authentic.

The Finnish government on January 11 decided that the border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia will remain closed until 11 February 2024.

The government on December 14 decided to close all land border with Russia.

The government on December 12 decided to resume two border crossing points at eastern border from December 14.

The government on November 28 decided to close the all the border crossing points with Russia from November 30 against the backdrop of influx of the increasing number of asylum seekers.

Earlier, Finland closed three more border crossing points- Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius- at the eastern border early November 24.

​The government took the decision on November 22.

But entry into Finland at the eastern border has continued despite earlier restrictions.

Earlier on November 18, Finland closed four border crossing points- at Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala at eastern border.

The government on November 16, decided to close part of Finland's eastern border with Russia.

The government on November 15 at a meeting decided that measures to ensure border security will be taken following the rapid increase in illegal entry at the eastern border.

Earlier on November 14, the Ministry of the Interior said, the government may decide to restrict cross-border traffic or to close border crossing points at eastern border with Russia.