Finland's Russian Community Faces Isolation Amid Border Closures

The closure of four border crossings between Finland and Russia to curb undocumented migration has sparked anger among Finland's Russian community, who fear being cut off from their relatives. Hundreds of protesters, including dual-nationals, gathered in Helsinki to voice their concerns, chanting "open the borders." While they support border security, they doubt the closures will effectively stop undocumented migrants. Finnish border guards reported a decline in asylum claims since the closures, but protesters argue that the move resembles a new "Iron Curtain." Helsinki accuses Moscow of directing migrants towards its crossings in response to Finland's closer ties with the US, a claim denied by the Kremlin.