The Finnish government has announced the closure of multiple border crossings with Russia in response to a rising influx of migrants arriving from its eastern neighbor. Authorities have accused Russia of enabling undocumented migrants to enter Finland and raised concerns over potential security threats.
As of November 23rd, Finland shut down all land border crossings with Russia except one. The remote crossing point in Salla, Lapland will remain open for processing asylum applications.
The Finnish Border Guard is establishing refugee centers near the border to register, document, and assess new arrivals before permitting entry. The centers aim to balance refugee rights with national security interests during the temporary border restrictions extending through December.
Stricter Border Controls Strand Hundreds of Migrants
Hundreds of migrants remain stranded on the Russian side of Finland’s closed Salla border crossing enduring frigid temperatures while waiting days to enter Finland.
As of November 23rd, over 400 migrants had amassed at the border as Finnish authorities restrict crossings to around 50 people daily. Russia is providing food, water, and shelter at makeshift camps nearby.
Governor Chibis of Russia’s Murmansk Oblast blamed Finland for “artificially creating a humanitarian crisis,” warning that border closures could drive more migrants through the region seeking alternate routes into Finland.
The border traffic jam and inhumane conditions have sparked tensions between Russian and Finnish officials. Finland maintains its measures are necessary to halt undocumented entry and warns that Russia shares responsibility for enabling migrant flows toward their border.
EU and Nordic Nations Support Finland’s Border Controls
The European Union (EU) and Nordic partners expressed solidarity with Finland and commitment to securing external borders against the weaponization of migrants by foreign powers.
Frontex, the EU border agency, is deploying 50 officers with vehicles and gear to reinforce Finnish border patrols starting November 29. The rapid resource mobilization highlights the priority of European border security.
At a Nordic-Baltic defense summit on November 23, Estonia and Latvia accused the Kremlin of orchestrating illegal border crossings to undermine border states. Officials cited suspicious timing and routes of hundreds of migrants recently attempting to enter their countries via Russia.
Impact on Visitors, Migrants, and Immigration Policies
The new restrictions primarily affect non-EU citizens traveling overland to Finland through Russia. Individuals seeking to enter Finland via Salla for tourism, work, study or asylum will face tighter scrutiny and delays at the border.
EU citizens remain exempt from border checks under Schengen zone rules but may experience congestion spillover effects at the crossing. Those planning road trips to Finland through Russia this winter should confirm border wait times and be prepared with extra supplies.
For non-EU migrants and asylum seekers already en route, the closed crossings prevent legal entry and leave them stranded in makeshift camps on the Russian side unless permitted to cross at Salla. The fortunate few let in must undergo expanded immigration processing.
The refusal to accept and resettle higher volumes of migrants aligns with Finland and EU’s recent attempts to reduce external immigration flows through stricter border policies. This approach risks being exploited by foreign governments wielding migrants as political weapons.
Going forward, immigration and border security have become inextricably linked for EU countries like Finland. Coordinated European support enables states to deflect targeted migrant surges without compromising refugee rights or Schengen area mobility. But the potential for future humanitarian suffering looms large.