Man held while crossing Finnish border into Russia

The Finnish Border Guard arrested a man when he was trying to illegally cross the Finnish border into Russia on Monday, said an official press release.

The man, a Finnish citizen was arrested from Vainikkala area in South Karelia near the Eastern Border fence early in the morning based on an alarm from the surveillance system.

The Commander of the South-Eastern Finland Region Border Guard communicated with the Commander of Russian Border Guard’s Vyborg Region in this regard.

The Border Commissioner of the Southeast Finland Region has been in contact with the Border Commissioner of the Vyborg Region of Russia regarding the incident.

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

Earlier in June 2026, a man was held on his return after crossing Finnish border into Russia.

On April 14, 2026, a Swedish man, who crossed the Finnish border into Russia, was arrested on his return to Finnish territory at 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.