Frontex, the EU agency responsible for border control, deployed about 50 border guards to assist Finland due to an uptick in undocumented migrants at eastern border checkpoints, as reported by YLE News.
These guards are expected to stay at the Finnish-Russian border until at least autumn, as reported by Uutissuomalainen.
Marko Saareks from the Finnish Interior Ministry stated that they’ve proposed to Frontex for the border assistance to continue until October, with the expectation that it will be accepted. This continued assistance includes patrols and surveillance equipment.
The initial deployment happened last year, addressing the surge in undocumented migrants. An agreement in January extended Frontex’s presence until summer, and now it’s confirmed until autumn. Additional staff may be dispatched if the situation deteriorates, with estimates ranging from 100 to 200 guards.
Since late last year, the Finnish-Russian border has been closed to cross-border traffic, a measure that remains indefinite according to the Finnish government’s recent announcement.
