In a recent incident, Russian border guards successfully prevented a group of refugees from illegally crossing the Russian-Finnish border in the Murmansk region, according to the region’s governor, Andrey Chibis. In a video statement released on his Telegram channel, Chibis emphasized the primary objective of ensuring the safety of the residents in the Murmansk region. He expressed regret over the incident, stating that the attempted breach of the border by foreign citizens had been effectively stopped.
Chibis also criticized the Finnish authorities for their unfriendly and provocative actions in closing the border checkpoints. As a result, a state of heightened readiness has been implemented in the Murmansk region, starting today. The decision was motivated by Finland’s month-long closure of all border crossing points, except for the “Raya-Yooseppi” checkpoint located in the region.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has lodged a protest in response to this move by the Finnish government. The MFA stated that Helsinki’s decision was made hastily and without consultation with Moscow, which violates the rights and interests of tens of thousands of Russians and Finns. The MFA dismissed claims of an escalation in the migrant situation and alleged deliberate actions by Moscow to organize refugee flows as a provocation aimed at further straining relations between the two countries.
Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the President of Russia, expressed deep regret over the adoption of an increasingly Russophobic stance by the leaders of the neighboring country. He emphasized that Russian border guards strictly adhere to all instructions and that only those with legal rights utilize the border crossings.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Finland. It raises concerns about the impact of border closures on the movement of people and goods, as well as the potential consequences for the bilateral relationship between the two nations. The situation calls for careful consideration and diplomatic efforts to address the underlying issues and prevent further escalation.
