In response to Finland's decision to close all but one of its border crossings with Russia, Murmansk Region Governor Andrey Chibis has declared a state of emergency. This is reported by Meduza.
This move is aimed at ensuring the safety of residents in the region. The Raja-Jooseppi crossing in the Murmansk region will remain the only operational border point.
Governor Chibis expressed concerns about a potential surge in the number of foreign nationals seeking entry into a NATO country through the Murmansk region.
He noted that about 400 foreigners are currently at another checkpoint in the area, with Finland allowing only 50 of them to enter daily. This situation arises amidst a sharp increase in migrants from Africa and the Middle East attempting to enter Finland via the Russian border.
The closure of Finnish border crossings and the declaration of a state of emergency in the Murmansk region highlight the growing complexities at the Russia-EU border.
Some European politicians and officials suspect Russia of artificially creating a migrant crisis at the Schengen zone borders. However, Moscow denies these allegations, with the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry labeling such views as "very strange."
This development underscores the escalating tensions and challenges at the borders of Russia and EU countries, particularly in the context of the ongoing geopolitical conflicts and the movement of migrants seeking entry into the European Union.
