The prime minister of Finland has accused Russia of aiding illegal migrant crossings into the country, alleging that some migrants are being assisted by Russian border guards. Finnish officials report that migrants are arriving by car and then cycling across the border in small groups before claiming asylum. While the number of crossings remains relatively small, there has been a recent increase in activity. Border guards have recorded approximately 60 crossings in a span of 24 hours, compared to 91 crossings over the four months leading up to November 12th. These migrants, hailing from countries like Iraq, Yemen, and Syria, are said to have arrived legally in Russia but lack authorization to enter Finland, an EU member state.
Finnish border guard Colonel Matti Pitkaniitty stated that traditionally, Russian guards have not permitted individuals to arrive at the Finnish border without proper documentation. However, he claimed that Russian authorities have recently altered their policies. Many migrants are taking advantage of an agreement that allows cycling across the border, with Finland recently implementing a ban on these bicycle crossings. The majority of crossings have occurred near the Nuijamaa and Vaalimaa border crossings in south-eastern Finland.
During a news conference, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo directly accused Russian authorities of facilitating these illegal crossings and claimed that individuals are being aided and escorted by border guards. This accusation comes after thousands of migrants from Middle Eastern and African countries crossed into EU member states Poland and Lithuania by flying to Belarus, an ally of Russia. At the time, the EU accused Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko of using migration as a tool of “hybrid warfare” to destabilize the bloc.
Colonel Pitkaniitty emphasized that the current number of crossings remains manageable, and Finnish authorities have various tools at their disposal to respond if crossings increase. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen announced that her government was already preparing to enhance security at the border. The migration route through Russia into the EU is perceived to be safer than crossing the Mediterranean Sea, leading experts to speculate that an increase in numbers may occur once word spreads among smugglers and migrants.
