Laiton border crossing suspected in Suomussalmi

Two people are suspected of illegally crossing the Finnish-Russian border into Suomussalmi, Kainuu, the Border Guard announced on Monday.

The Border Guard said the individuals entered Finland on Saturday without using a designated border crossing point. Their nationality has not been confirmed, as they lacked travel documents or identification.

According to the Border Guard, the two people claimed they had traveled on foot through terrain from Russia. They reportedly sought shelter in cabins and the surrounding wilderness, possibly due to rain.

Majuri Mika Keränen of the Kainuu Border Guard said the current working assumption is that the individuals may be fleeing the war in Ukraine, though this has not been verified. The Border Guard is continuing its investigation and exchanging information with Russian border authorities.