Finland’s border dispute with Russia intensifies over migrant influx

Nov 24, 2023

William Jackson Producer

By William Jackson (Producer)

Bias Distribution Powered by Ground News™

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has called on Russia to cease sending asylum seekers to Finland, characterizing the practice as a “hybrid attack.” Finland recently closed most border crossings due to an influx of over 800 migrants from nations including Afghanistan, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. Finland is accusing Russia of orchestrating the situation as retaliation for increased defense cooperation with the United States.

Finnish border guards escort migrants with bicycles at the international border crossing with Russia at Salla, Finnish Lapland on November 21, 2023. Last week, Helsinki shut four of its crossings, claiming Moscow was seeking to destabilise Finland by letting undocumented migrants cross into the Nordic country. Russia denied on on November 20 accusations that it was sending migrants to the Finnish border and warned earlier that Finland could close all its border crossings. (Photo by Jussi Nukari / Lehtikuva / AFP) / Finland OUT (Photo by JUSSI NUKARI/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images) — Getty Images

Orpo emphasized the issue as a matter of national security and a hybrid attack rather than a refugee crisis. Finland’s government has closed all but one land border crossing with Russia and is requiring individuals without proper documents to stay in supervised centers until their identities are established.

In this handout photo released by Governor of Murmansk region Andrey Chibis' telegram channel on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, migrants gather getting hot drinks inside a tent near the border with Finland at the Salla checkpoint, one of the still open border checkpoints situated in the Kandalaksha district of the Murmansk region, about 1300 km (812 miles) north of Moscow, Russia. (Governor of Murmansk region Andrey Chibis' telegram channel via AP) — Associated Press

“We want to send a clear message to Russia: this must stop,” Orpo said at a press conference. “It is not at this moment a question of asylum seekers, it is a question of hybrid attack and national security.”

We're ready to provide additional support to bolster Finland’s borders 🫡 #Frontex plans to deploy 50 #EUborderguard officers and other staff, along with patrol cars, to support Finland’s border control activities as soon as next week.https://t.co/G0zbrDTpFX pic.twitter.com/QcI2M955ka
— Frontex (@Frontex) November 23, 2023

The Finnish Border Guard anticipates support from Frontex, The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, to patrol the 832-mile border. The situation has prompted concerns about asylum rights and potential violations of the ban on return and mass deportation. Neighboring countries, including Norway, Estonia, and Latvia, have also raised similar concerns about Russia’s actions.

In a press release, Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen said: “Illegal immigration at Finland’s eastern border has continued to grow and has also expanded to other border crossings. Based on the observations made by the Border Guard and other authorities and the information received, it is clear that the authorities of a foreign country and other actors play a role in facilitating the arrival of persons who have crossed the border to Finland.”