EU Bolsters Security in Finland Amidst Russian Involvement Suspicions in Migrant Surge

Title: European Union Sends Reinforcements to Finland Amidst Suspicions of Russian Involvement in Influx of Migrants The European Union's border agency, Frontex, has announced that it will be sending additional officers and equipment to Finland to assist in securing its borders. This move comes as a response to suspicions that Russia is involved in the recent surge of migrants arriving in the country. Frontex expects to deploy a significant reinforcement of 50 border guard officers, as well as patrol cars and additional equipment, as early as next week.

The number of migrants without proper visas and documentation that have arrived in Finland this month has already surpassed 600, compared to only a few dozen in previous months. These migrants hail from countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Kenya, Morocco, and Somalia. Finnish authorities have begun taking measures to strengthen border security, including the erection of barriers and concrete obstacles topped with barbed wire along the country's border with Russia. Last week, the government made the decision to close four busy border crossings in southeastern Finland due to suspicions of foul play by Russian border officials.

Only one Arctic crossing point will remain open for migrants seeking asylum. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the situation. Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens stated that the reinforcement of border guards is a demonstration of the European Union's unified stand against hybrid challenges affecting its members. Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia, serves as both the EU's easternmost frontier and a crucial part of NATO's northeastern flank. Finnish authorities believe that Russia's hostility towards Finland has increased since the country joined NATO earlier this year.

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson expressed her support for Finland, comparing the situation to a similar scenario that occurred two years ago when Belarus drove migrants into Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland to destabilize the European Union. Johansson reaffirmed the EU's commitment to protecting its borders and upholding fundamental rights. The governor of Russia's northern Murmansk region recently announced that the region would be placed on high alert in response to Finland's decision to close most of the border crossings between the two countries.

Gov. Andrei Chibis expects the number of foreigners attempting to enter Finland through the remaining open border post to increase significantly. Estonia, Russia's Baltic neighbor, has also experienced a surge in migrant attempts to enter the country. Authorities have observed that most of the migrants arriving in Finland are young men in their 20s and 30s, although families and women are also among them. They typically arrive on bicycles, reportedly provided and sold to them. The situation has raised concerns about the orchestrated nature of the influx and the impact it may have on the stability of the region.

In conclusion, the European Union's response to the suspicions of Russian involvement in the influx of migrants in Finland underscores its commitment to protecting its borders and upholding European values. With reinforcements being deployed and increased cooperation between member states, the EU aims to address the challenges posed by hybrid threats affecting one of its members.