EU sends reinforcements to Finland amid suspicions of Russian involvement in migrant surge

The European Union’s border agency on Thursday announced its plans to deploy additional personnel and equipment to Finland to reinforce border security amid suspicions of Russia’s involvement in a surge of migrants entering the country. Frontex anticipates a “significant reinforcement” consisting of 50 border guard officers, support staff, patrol cars, and supplementary equipment, to be operational by next week. This month has seen approximately 600 migrants arriving in Finland without proper visas and documentation, a stark increase compared to just a few dozen in September and October. The individuals come from various countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Kenya, Morocco, and Somalia. Responding to the situation, Finnish authorities, on Wednesday, began installing barriers, including concrete obstacles topped with barbed wire, at select crossing points along the extensive border with Russia. The government decided to close four busy Russia border crossings in southeastern Finland last week over suspicions of foul play by Russian border officials. It plans to only leave one Arctic crossing point open for migrants seeking asylum. The Kremlin denies the allegations, according to The Associated Press. Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens stated that the deployment of additional border reinforcements signifies the European Union’s united stance against hybrid challenges impacting its member states. Finland, with nine crossing points along its 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, holds a strategic position as the EU’s easternmost frontier and a significant part of NATO’s northeastern flank. There is a belief among Finnish authorities that Russia’s attitude has become more hostile since Finland joined NATO in April. With inputs from agencies