In a bid to address growing concerns over national public order and security, the Finnish Government has decided to close another three border crossing points with Russia.
Starting Friday, November 24, the border crossings of Kuusamo, Salla, and Vartius will be shut down for everyone, including Finns, and the measure will remain in place until December 23, 2023.
Finland just recently closed the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra, and Niirala border crossings and as soon as the new decision becomes effective, it means that only one border crossing point with Russia will remain open.
According to the Finnish Ministry of Interior, all traffic will now be redirected and centralised at the Raja-Jooseppi border crossing point.
All border crossings at the eastern border will be centralised at the border crossing point of Raja-Jooseppi. The Government decided on these new restrictions at an extraordinary session on November 22, 2023. The decision will remain in force until December 23, 2023.
According to the Ministry, this move comes as a response to an escalation in instrumentalised migration from Russia.
The same notes that the Finnish authorities and government have been closely monitoring the situation, noting an increase in traffic despite restrictions, and raising concerns over other foreign authorities and external factors facilitating irregular entry into the territory of Finland.
Recent observations by the Finnish Border Guard indicate a change in procedures by the authorities of Russia. The Border Guard said that Russian authorities have been allowing unauthorised entries into Finland.
The same stressed that the situation is further complicated by involvement in international crime and revealed that since August of this year, around 700 nationals of third countries have arrived in Finland without valid visas, subsequently applying for asylum.
It is clear that foreign authorities and other actors have played a role in facilitating the entry of persons crossing the border into Finland. The Russian authorities are allowing this to happen, which is a change from their earlier procedures. The situation also involves international crime.
Taking into account the situation and in an attempt to mitigate any threat, the Government mandated that all crossings at the eastern border between Finland and Russia must now use only the Raja-Jooseppi crossing point.
Citizens of Finland are also required to use this crossing point when travelling to Russia and the other way around.
Additionally, international protection applications will also be exclusively accepted only at the Raja-Jooseppi border crossing point.
