Tensions Rise as Russia and Finland Clash at Arctic Border
Russia has warned of a "humanitarian crisis" at its Arctic border with Finland, stating that hundreds of migrants are stranded in freezing temperatures at one of its checkpoints. More than 500 asylum seekers have crossed from Russia to Finland since November, with Helsinki accusing Moscow of deliberately pushing them there. Finland has closed four of its border crossings with Russia in response to the influx of migrants, accusing Russia of trying to destabilize the country. The situation at the border has not been independently verified, but tensions between Russia and Finland have escalated since Finland joined NATO and Russia launched its assault on Ukraine.