2 held for entering Finland crossing Russian border

The Finnish Border Guard on Saturday arrested two persons for entering Finland after crossing Finland-Russia border illegally at Ilomantsi, a municipality in North Karelia region, said an official press release.

North Karelia Border Guard arrested them just after entering Finnish territory in the afternoon.

The detainees, however, applied for asylum in Finland after the arrest.

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

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

Earlier in late September 2026, the Border Guard arrested one person for entering Finland after crossing Finland-Russia border illegally at Ilomantsi.

In August 2026, the Finnish Border Guard arrested a man when he was trying to illegally cross the Finnish border into Russia.

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.