Finland Detains German Tourists Who Crossed Into Russia on Snowshoes

Overview

• The Finnish Border Guard detained three German tourists who deliberately crossed the frontier into Russia on snowshoes near the Kainuu region.
• Captain Juha Romppainen said the trio knowingly went to the boundary and stepped onto Russian territory, telling officers they acted out of curiosity.
• Guards notified Russian counterparts about the incident, according to reporting by Finland’s public broadcaster Yle.
• A separate attempt by a Finnish citizen to cross into Russia on Thursday was stopped and the individual was detained.
• The Finland–Russia border remains closed until further notice after restrictions introduced in November 2023, and Russia’s Foreign Ministry rejects claims it has steered migration flows.