Finland is ramping up its border security to counter potential influxes of asylum seekers from Russia, which Helsinki views as part of a “hybrid war” by Moscow against the West.
Finland is intensifying its border security measures amid fears that Russia might facilitate a large-scale movement of asylum seekers across their shared border. Finnish authorities are deploying additional border patrols, drones, and electronic detectors while constructing fences along strategic sections of the 1,340 km (833 mile) border.
The Finnish parliament is expected to pass new legislation before the summer recess that critics argue will violate human rights commitments. The proposed laws would allow border guards to summon thousands of reservists, detect migrants’ phone signals, detain them in centers, and controversially, push them back into Russia without processing their asylum claims.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, from the nationalist Finns Party, emphasized that Finland could not permit a new migration route into Europe. “This is about a situation in which the authorities of another country are helping or even pressing and pushing migrants to Finland’s border,” she stated.
The move comes after Finland indefinitely closed all crossing points along its border with Russia late last year, following the arrival of around 1,300 migrants from countries such as Syria and Somalia. Although only a few dozen asylum seekers have crossed the heavily forested border since, Finnish officials believe the Kremlin is prepared to send more migrants as part of its strategy against Western nations, a claim Russia denies.
The strained relations between Finland and Russia have worsened since Finland joined NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Case in Point: Syrian Asylum Seekers
The experiences of Syrian friends Mohammed and Mahmoud illustrate the challenges faced by Finnish authorities. They crossed into Finland last November via the Salla checkpoint, riding bicycles through -20 Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit) temperatures, purchased from Russian intermediaries. Walking between the Russian and Finnish border stations is prohibited.
Mohammed, who fled Syria to avoid military draft and later obtained a Russian student visa, claimed to have entered Finland legally by presenting an exit stamp from Russia. Both friends are now awaiting decisions on their asylum applications in Finland.
Russia-Finland Tensions
Despite the increased tensions, Finnish border guards continue to engage regularly with their Russian counterparts. Deputy commander Samuli Murtonen noted that Russian authorities typically allow anyone with a valid visa to leave the country.
Russian officials, however, accuse Finland of fabricating the migration crisis. Vladimir Kulishov, head of the Russian Federal Security Service’s (FSB) border service, claimed that Finland’s actions are intended to justify NATO and U.S. military presence near the Russian border, a claim Finland dismisses as absurd.
Interior Minister Rantanen reiterated her belief, based on classified intelligence, that thousands of migrants are still poised near the border to enter Finland. Her ministry acknowledges that the proposed pushback legislation would breach international human rights commitments, drawing criticism from organizations like Amnesty International, which warned that the plans could lead to violence and deny access to asylum.
Concerns Over Russian Intentions
Mahmoud, reflecting on his own experience, suggested that Russian authorities are controlling the flow of migrants into Finland, allowing only a limited number at a time. “If Russia wants to drown Finland with refugees, it can. It can send tens of thousands of refugees,” he remarked.
As Finland prepares to implement tougher border controls and new legislation, the situation remains tense, with both countries accusing each other of provoking the migration crisis for political ends.
