Finland has closed four border crossings with Russia, as promised
Finland closed four border crossing points with Russia in the early hours of Saturday, citing an increase in the number of illegal migrants whom Russian authorities allow to pass without having the appropriate documents, Agerpres reports. The measure entered into force on November 18 and will be valid until February 18 next year.
Thus, the decision of the Finnish Border Protection Agency has now been implemented in Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala, in the south-east of the country. Only the railway border crossing from Vainikkala remained open in that region.
Helsinki accuses Russian authorities of helping migrants cross the border so that they can apply for asylum in a European Union member country.
Asylum applications will now be handled at Salla and Vartius border crossings, hundreds of kilometers to the north.
The number of illegal asylum seekers in southeastern Finland increased again significantly to 163 on Friday, double the number recorded throughout last week.
We specify that Chisinau authorities have issued a travel alert to Finland. Citizens are urged to follow the announcements of the Coast Guard of Finland, and for emergency situations to contact the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Stockholm.
