Finland's Southeast Border Guard has been conducting exercises to implement new border regulations aimed at managing potential crises by controlling illegal entries from Russia.
The Southeast Border Guard of Finland has been actively engaged in exercises this week aimed at implementing new border laws that permit certain actions at the border crossing points of Imatra, Nuijamaa, and Vaalimaa. These training sessions are specifically focused on the procedures for turning back illegal entrants attempting to cross from Russia, addressing the threat of "instrumentalized migration" where people may be used as tools in political conflicts. According to Assistant Commander Antti Virta, the new exceptional law allows authorities to utilize evaluation procedures to determine whether individuals meet the criteria for asylum processes, which could potentially lead to the rejection of their entry based on these assessments.
The implemented changes could involve the use of force when managing the entry of individuals deemed to be entering illegally or without a valid claim for asylum. This newly adopted protocol extends across the entire eastern border of Finland, not limited to official crossing points, ensuring comprehensive coverage against potential breaches. The temporary exceptional law is set to remain in effect until the end of 2026, though its activation requires separate decisions from the authorities. Up to this point, the law has not been put to practical use, indicating a cautious approach by Finnish border officials in handling potential crises arising from geopolitical tensions in the region.
