Finland will close its borders to Russian visitors at midnight tonight, following a massive exodus of men of military age following Putin’s mobilization order.
Russian citizens holding tourist visas will no longer be permitted to enter the Nordic country, resulting in a considerable reduction in border traffic.
Foreign minister Pekka Haavisto stated, “The decision intends in principle to prohibit Russian tourist to Finland and transit through Finland.”
The administration defended the decision by asserting, without elaboration, that the ongoing influx of Russian visitors into Finland endangers the country’s international relations.
He stressed that entry for family visits, work, and study will continue to be granted.
At the Vaalimaa border crossing between Finland and Russia in Virolahti, Russia-bound automobiles wait in line.
Yesterday, during the enormous departure, Finnish border guards inspected vehicles at the Vaalimaa border check.
Russians are fleeing across Finland’s Vaalimaa border crossing in fear that the border may close “forever” in response to the Russian president’s mobilization order for the war in Ukraine.
Haavisto stated that the mobilization order had a “substantial effect” on his choice.
At the beginning of the month, Finland reduced the number of visas issued to Russian citizens, including those provided for tourism purposes.
As a sign of sympathy with Ukraine, only a tenth of the typical amount of visas were provided.
An estimated 200,000 Russians have fled the nation in the past week, fleeing to Georgia, Finland, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia to avoid possible conscription to the front lines of the war.
The Georgian Interior Ministry reported that around 53,000 Russians had entered the country since last week, while Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry reported that 98,000 Russians have entered their country.
This morning, people entering Finland reach the passport checking area as border guards inspect automobiles.
At the beginning of the month, Finland reduced the number of visas issued to Russian citizens, including those issued for tourism.
The Finnish Border Guard agency said that around 43,000 people entered within the same time period. According to media sources, an additional 3,000 Russians entered Mongolia, which shares a border with the nation.
According to military intelligence, the number of those who have escaped certainly exceeds the number of troops in Putin’s initial invading force.
In today’s daily statement, the British Ministry of Defence stated, “Since President Putin announced the “partial mobilization” seven days ago, there has been a significant outflow of Russians attempting to avoid conscription.
‘Although specific numbers are unknown, it likely exceeds the strength of Russia’s whole invading force in February 2022.
The wealthy and educated are disproportionately represented among individuals attempting to flee Russia.
After passing the passport check, Viktor Zakarov, a 35-year-old physicist from Saint Petersburg, holds one of his three children.
Foreign minister Pekka Haavisto stated, “The decision intends in principle to prohibit Russian tourist to Finland and transit through Finland.”
‘When paired with the mobilization of reservists, the domestic economic impact of lower labor availability and the acceleration of ‘brain drain’ is anticipated to increase in magnitude.’
At other borders, the mass migration has caused miles-long queues that have lasted for days, and local Russian authorities on one section of the border with Georgia have announced they will begin offering food, water, warming stations, and other aid to those in line.
According to reports, Moscow also established draft offices at borders to intercept some of those attempting to flee.
In the past week, Russians have rushed to flee via Finland’s Vaalimaa crossing out of fear that the border may close ‘forever’
“Many people are terrified,” says Oleg, a Russian bar owner who has crossed into Finland.
The mobilization is the first indication that something worse may occur.
After passing through passport check, visitors to Finland proceed to the waiting room.
Russian citizens with tourist visas will no longer be permitted to enter the Nordic country, severely limiting border traffic.
He is concerned that the border may ‘shut permanently’ and that Russians will ‘live in a totalitarian state where they can do nothing’
He continues, “I live in a country that sinks a bit more every day.”
On Monday, Finland reported that more Russians visited the nation over the weekend than any previous weekend this year.
Five of Viktor Zakharov’s friends have fled Russia since the mobilization, according to Zakharov, who landed in Finland with his wife and three children.
Although the 35-year-old physicist from Saint Petersburg has no military experience and is not part of the mobilization, he is concerned that the situation could change.
“If you are not physically fit now, you can be tomorrow and join the army,” he tells the travelers as they wait patiently for the Finnish border guards to inspect their vehicles.
Zakharov, who is traveling to Israel, drove his fully-loaded SUV through the Russian side of the border in 30 minutes before spending 1.5 hours through the Finnish border.
An inflow of Russian citizens has overloaded the borders with Kazakhstan and Mongolia.
Relatives and taxi drivers wait at the Verkhni Lars customs post for Russian tourists entering Georgia.
People fleeing conscription in Russia queue at the Altanbulag border post in Mongolia.
A group of Russians walk after crossing the Georgia-Russia border in Verkhny Lars in Georgia on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
A group of Russian men walk with their bicycles after crossing the Georgia-Russia border in Verkhny Lars in Georgia on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. After Moscow announced a partial military mobilization, long lines of vehicles have formed at a border crossing between North Ossetia and Georgia.
The number of traffic jams at Russia’s borders with neighboring countries has increased. This satellite image from September 23 shows traffic at the Khyagt border station on Russia’s border with Mongolia
Despite being in Finland, ‘the sensation of freedom has not yet arrived due to the sleepless nights and packing, and to be honest, it’s not yet clear,’ he admits as he hands his children pieces of candy.
Vadim, a state employee, arrived via bus. He entrusted his mother with the care of his Moscow flat and plans to return shortly.
“I have heard of numerous instances of young men being deported and unable to cross the border due to mobilization,” he says.
I cannot claim I am content with the current state of the planet.
Finland made new revisions to its Border Guard Act in July to permit the construction of more robust walls along the 800 mile-long eastern border with Russia.
Currently, Finland’s borders are secured primarily with light timber fences, which are primarily intended to prevent livestock from straying.
The Finnish border guard stated on Tuesday that it believes it will be necessary to construct 240 kilometers of barriers in high-risk areas.
The border patrol said in a statement, “The physical barrier itself is indispensable in large-scale entry situations, serving as both a barrier and an element of diversion for possible masses.”
The fence still calls for a political determination.