Russian man faces deportation after providing intelligence to Finnish border authorities

A Russian asylum seeker who fled mobilisation and later assisted Finland’s Border Guard with intelligence gathering now risks deportation, an investigation by Finnish broadcaster Yle’s MOT programme reveals.

The man, identified only as Max for his safety, crossed into Finland in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In late 2024, he was contacted by two plainclothes officers from the Finnish Border Guard, who recruited him as an informant on migration flows and security threats near the Russian border.

Max claims he gathered information—including details on far-right groups and migrant movements—by questioning contacts in Russia. However, his asylum application was later rejected, leaving him fearful of retaliation from Russian authorities if deported. The Border Guard has declined to comment on his case, stating only that informant identities are protected by law.

Recruited in a café meeting

Max described his first encounter with the officers in a small southern Finnish town. After verifying their Border Guard credentials, they instructed him to disable his phone before discussing Finland’s concerns over potential weaponised migration from Russia. Communications continued via encrypted messages, with officers even wishing him luck ahead of asylum interviews.

For over six months, Max provided updates on Telegram channels and cross-border activity, including reports of a neo-Nazi group operating near Finland’s frontier. While he had no direct observations, he relayed secondhand accounts from Russian contacts.

Legal and ethical concerns raised

The Border Guard’s written response to Yle emphasised confidentiality but did not address whether asylum seekers face heightened risks if deported. Pargol Miraftabi, a lawyer with the Finnish Refugee Advice Centre, called the practice “highly problematic,” noting that rejected applicants lack legal protections if returned to their home countries.

Max’s final meeting with his handlers occurred in July 2025, after which contact ceased. “Our friendship is now over,” he was told. With his asylum claim denied, he now fears exposure—and potential reprisals—if forced to return to Russia.