Ukrainians cross the eastern border to seek refuge in Finland
MEANWHILE Russians who come to Finland to avoid conscription have recently been the subject of discussion, the border authorities have also noticed that the number of Ukrainians is increasing.
Matti PitkäniittyHead of International Cooperation of the Border Guard, told Helsingin Sanomat reported on Tuesday that the number of Ukrainians seeking temporary protection in Finland has had a “big spike” at the eastern border.
The increase has followed the “partial” mobilization of the population announced by the Russian president on September 21 Vladimir Putin. The busiest day was 10 days after the announcement, and there were 112 Ukrainians. On other days, there have been twenty arrivals.
– The number of arrivals increased so much that we have established a separate registration point in Joutseno with the police and immigration authorities, Pitkäniitty told Helsingin Sanomat.
The figure is still low compared to the total number of Ukrainians who sought asylum in Finland. The Finnish Immigration Service said on Monday that more than 41,000 Ukrainians have applied for temporary protection in Finland.
“However, it is worth noting here that Ukrainians have previously flowed into the country across the internal border, i.e. via Estonia and Poland,” he said.
The phenomenon, he added, is probably explained by the change in the social situation in Russia.
“The war used to be summed up in the term ‘special war operation’ in Russia, but the mobilization has clearly made society part of the war. The Ukrainians have also decided to consider leaving. It is also noteworthy that Russia has given them permission to leave,” Pitkäniitty analysed.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT