Swedish man, who crossed Finnish border into Russia held on return

The person, who crossed the Finnish border into Russia was arrested on his return to Finnish territory at Lieksa area late Tuesday night, said Finnish Border Guard in a press release on Wednesday.

The North Karelia Border Guard located him at Kuikkasuo area in Lieksa at about 10:50 p.m. and arrested him after his return from Russia through a point at northwest of Tuulijoki, about 3.5 kilometres north from the border outpost.

The man suspected of the border crime is a Swedish citizen of about 40 years old.

The motive for the border crossings could not be known.

The Commander of the North Karelia Border Guard communicated with the Commander of Russian Border Guard’s the Suojärvi Region in this regard.

The Border Guard is investigating into the incident as suspected state border crime.

Earlier on April 14, Finnish Border Guard said that one person illegally crossed the Finnish border and entered into Russian territory through Lieksa area.

In October 2025, the North Karelia Border Guard held two foreign nationals for entering Finland after crossing Finland-Russia border illegally at Ilomantsi.

Earlier in September 2025, one person was held for entering Finland crossing Russian border.

In July 2025, the Southeast Finland Border Guard also held a man for entering Finland after crossing Finland-Russia border at Vaalimaa.

Finland continues to keep Russian border closed for sine die since December 2023 following Russian invasion of Ukraine.