Russia escalates tensions on the border with Finland and sends thousands of refugees. The border will remain closed until at least April.
As a result of Finland joining NATO in April 2023, the alliance's eastern border has become 1,340 kilometers longer. Finland is in the process of building a 200-kilometer-long fence along the border, which is partly in remote areas. Two crossings that were opened on an experimental basis in December were closed again within one day. The situation at the Finnish border brings back unpleasant memories of the winter of 2021.