Local residents help trace route of two people who illegally crossed border into Finland

Finnish Border Guard officials have thanked residents and holidaymakers in Suomussalmi for assisting in tracing the route of two people who illegally entered Finland from Russia last Saturday.

The Kainuu Border Guard said it had received multiple tips from locals in Hossa, Selkoskylä and Peranka after asking for public help in locating sightings of the individuals.

“We have received a lot of tips, and we are especially grateful to the residents for helping with the investigation,” said Juha Romppanen, investigation leader at the Kainuu Border Guard.

The investigation is ongoing, with officials still verifying several leads. Romppanen noted that local observations are valuable both generally and in cases of illegal border crossings.

The Border Guard is also exchanging information with Russian border authorities in the Kalevala region.

The two individuals have applied for asylum in Finland. This summer, a total of six illegal border crossings into Finland have been recorded, all involving Russian nationals, according to the Border Guard headquarters.

Romppanen declined to comment on the nationality or motives of the two people who entered illegally near Suomussalmi, citing the ongoing preliminary investigation.

The individuals were found without travel documents or identification and had been staying in cabins and forested areas on the Finnish side.