Two German tourists were caught on February 2nd for illegally entering the border zone in Salla, Finland, likely motivated by a curiosity to see the Russian border. The Lapland Border Guard apprehended them after they drove to the border area and walked into the restricted zone, which was still several hundred meters away from the actual border. According to the assistant commander of the Lapland Border Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Mikko Kauppila, incidents of unauthorized border tourism occur from one to ten times a year, although they are not considered a common phenomenon.

Kauppila noted that such unauthorized stays usually happen during the thawing period when the interest in the border zone increases. While it is not typical, it is not unusual either, as both Finnish and foreign tourists have been involved in similar cases. This incident highlights ongoing issues related to border control and the attraction certain areas may hold for tourists eager to experience unique geographical and political landscapes.

In addition to financial penalties, tourists are reminded that specific regions, like Korvatunturi, can be accessed legally with special permit. Observing the border from specific viewpoints in Northern Norway, for instance, is allowed, emphasizing the importance of adhering to regulations designed to maintain security and order at international borders and the need for tourists to be adequately informed about such regulations before their visit.