Clashes Erupt as Asylum Seekers Clash with Finnish Guards at Russian Border

Scuffles broke out at a border crossing between Finland and Russia as 163 migrants on bicycles attempted to seek asylum, just hours before the closure of four crossing points. Finland aims to halt the influx of Middle Eastern and African migrants, which it believes Russia is encouraging. Around 300 asylum seekers have arrived in the past week. Finland joined NATO in April after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, prompting the closure of the southeastern crossing points.