Finland says to shut last border crossing to Russia

HELSINKI: Finland´s prime minister said on Tuesday the country will shut its last border crossing to Russia, following an influx of migrants which Helsinki claims is a hybrid attack orchestrated by Moscow.

Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the closure would come into effect overnight between Wednesday and Thursday and last until December 13. The Nordic country, which shares a 1,340-kms border with Russia, has seen a surge in undocumented migrants seek asylum on its border with Russia in November.

From the start of August, nearly 1,000 migrants have entered Finland without a visa through the eastern border crossing points. “Finland is the target of a Russian hybrid operation. This is a matter of national security,” Rantanen said. Last week, Finland´s northernmost eastern border crossing, Raja-Jooseppi, became the sole entry point to Russia, following the closure of the other seven by the Nordic country.