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Finnish Border Guard
Rajavartiolaitos (Finnish)
Gränsbevakningsväsendet (Swedish)
Emblem of the Finnish Border Guard
Emblem of the Finnish Border Guard
Ship racing stripe
Ship racing stripe
AbbreviationFBG, RVL, GBV
Agency overview
Formed21 March 1919; 106 years ago (1919-03-21)
Employees3,800 career personnel, mobilised strength 12,600
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionFinland
Specialist jurisdictions
  • Immigration
  • National border patrol, security, integrity
  • Coastal patrol, marine border protection, marine search and rescue
Operational structure
Elected officer responsible
Agency executives
  • Lieutenant general Pasi Kostamovaara, Chief of the Border Guard
  • Rear admiral Markku Hassinen, Deputy Chief of the Border Guard
Child agencies
  • 5 District Commands
  • 15 Battalions
Website
raja.fi/en/

The Finnish Border Guard (FBG,[1] Finnish: Rajavartiolaitos, RVL;[2] Swedish: Gränsbevakningsväsendet, GBV)[3] is the agency responsible for enforcing the security of Finland's borders.

Duties

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Main duties of the Finnish Border Guard:

  • Protecting the land borders and territorial waters of Finland from unauthorised encroachment.
  • Passport control at border crossing points, airports and ports.
  • First line of defence against territorial invasions.
  • Rescue operations (mainly at sea and in the remote areas of Lapland).
  • Provide aid to other authorities such as the fire department in case of unusual events like wild fires.
  • Investigation of crimes pertaining to border security.
  • Aiding police forces in civil duties such as crowd control and riot control.
  • Military operations pertaining to internal security.
  • Customs control in the minor border crossing points without customs authorities.
  • Training of conscripts for wartime duty. These include rajajääkäri (border jaegers) and erikoisrajajääkäri (special border jaegers).
  • (During wartime) Long range patrols and guerrilla tactics behind enemy lines.

The agency has police and investigative powers in immigration matters and can independently investigate immigration violations with search and rescue (SAR) duties, both maritime and inland. Missions inland are often carried out in co-operation with local fire and rescue departments or other authorities.

Jurisdiction

[edit]

For the discharge of its duties, the Border Guard has limited police powers in the areas where it operates.

It can, for example, seize and arrest persons and conduct searches in apartments and cars pursuant to same legislation as the police, when investigating a crime.

However, the power to arrest a person has been delegated only to the commanding officers of border control detachments and commanders and vice-commanders of larger units.

The Border Guard is not supposed to be used for the keeping of public order under normal circumstances, but it has two readiness platoons that can be used to support the police in exceptional situations in matters of crowd control and internal security (including incidents involving dangerous armed criminals).[4]

The readiness platoons have been used to supplement riot police during high-profile international events where there is a perceived danger of violent demonstrations, e.g. during the "Smash ASEM" demonstration in 2006.[5]

However, the main duty of the readiness platoons is to handle the most demanding border security incidents.[4] Border Guard helicopters have also been used to assist police and rescue authorities in various missions.

The Border Guard also has the power to keep public order in its own facilities and in their immediate vicinity. For the execution of its military exercises, any officer with the minimum rank of Captain can close an area temporarily.

The Border Guard is responsible for enforcing the 3–5 km (1.9–3.1 mi) border zone towards Russia and issues the permits to visit the zone.

Organisation

[edit]
Finnish Border Guard on patrol with a dog

The Border Guard is a military organisation, subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior in administrative issues and to the president of Finland in issues pertaining to his authority as Commander-in-Chief (e.g. officer promotions).

Administrative units are responsible for the functions of the Border Guard.

These administrative units are the Border Guard Headquarters, Southeast Finland, North Karelia, Kainuu and Lapland border guard districts, the Gulf of Finland and West Finland coast guard districts, Air Patrol Squadron and Border and Coast Guard Academy.

The Border Guards have two readiness units; the 1st Special Intervention Unit, which operates in South-Eastern Finland, and the 5th Special Intervention Unit, which operates in the Gulf of Finland area.[6]

The Finnish Border Guard consists of 3,800 active duty personnel. Upon mobilization, it would be wholly or partly incorporated into the Finnish Defence Forces and its strength increased with reservists who have served their conscription in the branch.

The mobilized strength of the Finnish Border Guard is 12,600 servicemen.

The Finland–Russia border is actively monitored. The western sea borders and the western and northern land borders to Sweden and Norway are free to cross under the Nordic passport union, the Border Guard does however maintain personnel in these regions owing to its SAR duties.

Cooperation

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There is a separate Finnish Customs agency, and immigration is also handled by the Finnish National Police and the Finnish Directorate of Immigration.

PTR (police, customs and border guard) co-operation is well-developed and allows the authorities to conduct each other's duties if necessary.

Training

[edit]

The basic training of border guard personnel is based in Imatra, while the sea training for coast guards is based in Turku.[7]

Equipment

[edit]

Watercraft

[edit]
Class In service Images Type Origin Builder Ship Comm. Displacement Notes
Offshore patrol vessels
Turva class 1
(+ 2 on order)[8] 		Offshore patrol vessel
(border surveillance, maritime SAR, EEZ monitoring, traffic monitoring, public order, environmental protection and oil spill response)
  Finland Rauma shipyard
(STX Finland) 		Turva 2014 4,000 t (3,900 long tons) [9][10][11]
Improved Turva class 0
(+ 2 on order)[8] 		– Offshore patrol vessel
(border surveillance, maritime SAR, evacuation, EEZ monitoring, traffic monitoring, public order, environmental protection and oil spill response)
  Finland Turku shipyard
(Meyer Werft) 		– 2026 (plan) – [9][12][13]
– 2027 (plan)
Torsas class [fi] 2 Offshore patrol vessel
(border surveillance, maritime SAR, EEZ monitoring, traffic monitoring, public order)
  Finland Rauma shipyard Torsas [fi] 1986 1,250 t (1,230 long tons) [9]
To be replaced with the Improved Turva class.[14]
Uisko [fi] 1987
Patrol boat
RV20 class
 7
(illustration) 		Patrol boat
(border surveillance, maritime SAR, oil recovery)
  Finland Työvene shipyard – 2020 to 2022 44.5 t (43.8 long tons) [9][15][16]
Equipped with a small RHIB for recovery. Note: the RV90 was the prototype .
RV15E class
1 Patrol boat
(border surveillance, maritime SAR, oil recovery, training)
  Finland Työvene shipyard – – 14.1 t (13.9 long tons) [9]
First received in 2017.[17]
Watercat 1300 class
 23 Patrol boat
(border surveillance, maritime SAR, oil recovery)
  Finland Marine Alutech Oy – 2007 to 2013 17.2 t (16.9 long tons) [18][19]
Alucat W18 CAB6 RVL class – – Patrol boat - inland waters
(border surveillance, maritime SAR, oil recovery)
  Finland Marine Alutech Oy – – – [9]
Speedboat
Zodiac MilPro SRA 850 (NV17 series) 26 – RHIB  France Zodiac MilPro – – – 21 + 5 ordered in two phases.[20][21]
Hovercraft
Griffon 2000TD class
 3 Hovercraft  United Kingdom Griffon Hoverwork – 1994 to 1995 – Received in the 1990s, to be replaced by new ones.[22]
Griffon 2000TD class
 0
(+ 3 on order)[8] 		– Hovercraft  United Kingdom Griffon Hoverwork – 2026 to 2027 – [23][24]
Order in December 2025.
Ivanoff IH-6 – Rescue hovercraft  Sweden Ivanoff Hovercraft AB – – – [9][25]

Vehicles

[edit]

Note: most vehicles are used as dog cars.

Model Variant Image Origin Type Quantity Notes
Road patrol vehicle
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Sprinter 319  Germany 4×4 heavy patrol van – [26]
Sprinter 419
Mercedes-Benz Vito –  Germany Patrol van – Four variants used, among which the Mixto and the 129E (8-seat).[27]
Volkswagen Transporter VW T6  Germany Patrol van – Two variants used.[28]
Off-road patrol vehicle
Mercedes-Benz G-class G350 (W463) –  Germany 4×4 offroad patrol vehicle – [29]
Toyota Land Cruiser Land Cruiser J150 –  Japan 4×4 offroad patrol vehicle – [30]
Toyota Hilux Hilux (gen 7) –  Japan 4×4 offroad patrol vehicle – [31]
Volkswagen Amarok – –  Germany 4×4 offroad patrol vehicle – [32]
Motorcycles
Yamaha WR250 – –  Japan Enduro motorcycle – [33]
All-terrain vehicles
Polaris Sportsman 570 –
(illustration) 		 United States Wheeled / tracked ATV – [34]
Can-Am Max 650 –
(illustration) 		 Canada ATV 6×6 – [35]
Snowmobile
Lynx Ranger 600 E-Tec Wide-track
(illustration) 		 Finland Snowmobiles – [36]
Narrow-track – [37]

Aircraft

[edit]
Model Variant Image Origin Type Quantity Notes
Aeroplanes (2)
Dornier 228 Dornier 228-212  Germany Surveillance aircraft 2 In service since 1995, to be replaced by the Bombardier Challenger 650 (Rapcon-X) from 2027.[38]
Bombardier Challenger 650 SNC Rapcon-X  Canada
 United States 		Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance aircraft 0
(+ 2 on order) 		Successor of the Dornier surveillance aircraft, selected in the MVX proggramme.[39]
The Border Guard ordered 2 Bombardier Challenger 650 in June 2024. The critical design review was completed in March 2025.[39]
The deliveries are planned for 2027 and 2028.[38][39]
Helicopters (12)
Agusta-Bell 412 AB412EP  United States
 Italy (licence made)
Border control, maritime SAR, medical transport 5 [40][41][42]
Purchased in the 1980s.
AgustaWestland AW119 AW119Ke  Italy Border control, transport, civil service duties 4 [40]
3 ordered in 2008, with an option for 1 additional helicopter which ended up being exercised.[41][43]
Equipment: thermal camera, forest fire suppression.[44]
Eurocopter Super Puma AS 332L1 / H215  France Transport, border control, maritime SAR, medical transport 3 [40]
3 AS 332 purchased in the mid 1980s.[45]
These were modernised in the 2010s, and equipped with new surveillance equipment.[46]
AS332L1e / H215 2 [40]
2 additional Super Puma ordered in 2013.[47]
They were modernised to the Airbus H215 standard.
The first was delivered in 2016.[48]

Other equipment

[edit]

Officers carry on a daily basis:

History

[edit]
Finnish border guards chatting with a villager at the Finnish-Russian border at Imatra, on 5 July 1967.

After the Finnish Civil War in 1919, the control of the Finnish borders was given to the former Finnish Russian frontier troops under the command of the Ministry of Interior. Until 1945, only the Russian border was supervised by the Frontier Guard, the Swedish and Norwegian borders having only customs control. In 1929, a separate Sea Guard was founded to prevent the rampant alcohol smuggling caused by the Finnish prohibition of alcohol (1919–1932).

At the start of the Winter War there were nine Border Companies (Rajakomppania) on the Karelian Isthmus. North of Lake Ladoga the Frontier Guards were combined into six Detached Battalions (Erillinen pataljoona). Further north in Petsamo the defence was left to the 10th Detached Company (10. Erillinen komppania). After the war Marshal Mannerheim awarded all frontier guards the title "Border jäger" (Rajajääkäri). During the Continuation War, the Frontier Guard companies were combined into 12 Border Jäger battalions (Rajajääkäripataljoona) and later during the Lapland War into a Border Jäger Brigade (Rajajääkäriprikaati).

Ranks

[edit]

Commissioned officer ranks

[edit]

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1
Finland Finnish Border Guard[49]
 Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second Lieutenant
Kenraali/
Amiraali 		Kenraaliluutnantti/
Vara-amiraali 		Kenraalimajuri/
Kontra-amiraali 		Prikaatikenraali/
Lippueamiraali 		Eversti/
Kommodori 		Everstiluutnantti/
Komentaja 		Majuri/
Komentajakapteeni 		Kapteeni/
Kapteeniluutnantti 		Yliluutnantti/
Yliluutnantti 		Luutnantti/
Luutnantti 		Vänrikki/
Aliluutnantti
General/
Amiral 		Generallöjtnant/
Viceamiral 		Generalmajor/
Konteramiral 		Brigadgeneral/
Flottiljamiral 		Överste/
Kommodor 		Överstelöjtnant/
Kommendör 		Major/
Kommendörkapten 		Kapten/
Kaptenlöjtnant 		Premiärlöjtnant Löjtnant Fänrik/
Underlöjtnant

Other ranks

[edit]

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Finland Finnish Border Guard[49]
Sotilasmestari Ylivääpeli/
Ylipursimies 		Vääpeli/
Pursimies 		Ylikersantti Kersantti Alikersantti Korpraali/
Ylimatruusi 		Sotamies
Militärmästare Överfältväbel/
Överbåtsman 		Fältväbel/
Båtsman 		Översergeant Sergeant Undersergeant Korpral/
Övermatros 		Soldat

Current activities

[edit]

After the Second World War, the Border Guards were placed on all Finnish borders. In the 1950s, the Sea Guard was attached to the Border Guard. Since then, the Border Guard has received a fine public image. It is famed for the wilderness skills of its guards foot-patrolling the forest-covered Russian border, its good efficiency in catching the few illegal border crossers and for the fact that it is the only state authority in large parts of Lapland. In these matters it resembles the popular image of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Border Guard of Finland is one of the links of the chain of protectors of the external borders of the European Union and Schengen agreement.

Nearly every Border Guard District trains small number of conscripts for long range reconnaissance (Finnish: Sissi). Conscripts in Border Guard companies are mostly volunteers and preferably selected from the occupants of border areas, and while trained by Border Guard, they do not perform regular border control duties. Rivalry between Sissi from Border Guards and Defence Forces is traditionally high.

Employment in Border Guard is much sought for, especially in North and Eastern Finland, which suffer from chronic unemployment problems. Typically a vacancy in the Border Guard receives at least 50 applications.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Finnish Border Guard

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

The Finnish Border Guard (Rajavartiolaitos) is a agency under the administrative control of Finland's Ministry of the Interior, tasked with securing the nation's land borders and against unauthorized crossings, conducting and checks at entry points, enforcing regulations, and performing functions such as maritime operations and responses to incidents. In addition to its peacetime policing and security roles, the agency integrates into the during wartime, contributing personnel and assets to national defense efforts. Established in 1919 from the remnants of pre-independence frontier troops following the , it has maintained continuous vigilance over Finland's extensive 1,340-kilometer border with , adapting to evolving threats including state-orchestrated hybrid tactics like the 2023 surge in undocumented migrant crossings that prompted the indefinite closure of eastern land border checkpoints. The Border Guard operates through a centralized in , four land border districts, two districts, an air patrol squadron, and specialized units for rapid intervention, employing advanced technologies, assets, and canine teams to execute its multifaceted mandate. Its defining characteristics include a high degree of operational autonomy, rigorous training emphasizing endurance in conditions, and a track record of effective deterrence against and illegal entries, underscoring Finland's commitment to sovereign border integrity amid geopolitical pressures from adjacent powers.

Primary Duties

The Finnish Border Guard's primary duties center on securing Finland's external borders and territorial waters, with a focus on surveillance to detect and prevent unauthorized entries, smuggling, and other threats to sovereignty. This includes continuous monitoring of the land borders—particularly the extensive 1,340-kilometer eastern border with —and maritime areas, utilizing patrols, technology, and cooperation with the to maintain territorial integrity during peacetime and heightened readiness in crises. Border control operations involve conducting checks on persons, vehicles, and goods at official crossing points, including land borders, seaports, and airports, to enforce entry requirements, verify travel documents, and combat and trafficking. At minor or unmanned points lacking dedicated customs presence, the Guard assumes police-like and customs enforcement roles, such as inspecting for prohibited items and apprehending violators. A core function is preventing cross-border crime, including organized smuggling of humans, narcotics, and contraband, through proactive investigations and intelligence-led operations that enhance internal security without overlapping primary by police. In maritime domains, the Border Guard serves as the lead authority for operations, coordinating responses to distress calls, evacuating casualties, and providing emergency medical care at sea, while also addressing incidents and ensuring navigational safety in . These duties extend to supporting national defense preparedness, including conscript training and rapid mobilization capabilities.

Jurisdiction and Authority

The Finnish Border Guard holds primary over the and of Finland's external borders, encompassing approximately 1,340 kilometers of frontiers with (614 km), (736 km), and Russia (1,340 km total border length as of 2023), as well as maritime boundaries in the , , and extending to the territorial sea limit of 12 nautical miles. This includes the border zone, defined as up to 3 kilometers inland from the border line or further in designated areas, where the agency conducts patrols, monitoring, and enforcement to detect and prevent unauthorized crossings, of persons or goods, and threats to . As a authority subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior, the Border Guard's operational authority stems from the Act on the Finnish Border Guard (Border Guard Act 578/2005, with amendments), which empowers its personnel—classified as public officials—to perform tasks such as and customs controls at ports of entry, apprehension of border violators, and preliminary investigations into cross-border crimes including human smuggling, document , and . These powers extend to maritime enforcement, where the agency serves as the lead national authority for operations and pollution response within Finland's , including rights to board and inspect vessels suspected of violations under international conventions like UNCLOS. In coordination with Finnish Customs and Police, the Border Guard may exercise expanded investigative roles, such as undercover operations for cases, as authorized by legislative updates effective from 2025. The agency's authority is delineated to avoid overlap with other entities: it lacks general policing powers outside border-related matters but can request assistance from the for heightened threats, such as during the 2023-2024 border closures with amid instrumentalized migration pressures. Judicial oversight ensures proportionality, with decisions subject to administrative review by the Ministry or courts, reflecting Finland's constitutional emphasis on in security operations. In peacetime, the Finnish Border Guard operates under the administrative authority of the Ministry of the Interior and derives its powers primarily from the Border Guard Act (Rajavartiolaki, 578/2005), which mandates surveillance of land and maritime borders to prevent unauthorized crossings and encroachments on . This includes conducting mandatory border checks at crossing points, airports, and ports; inspecting documents, vehicles, and goods for compliance with entry regulations such as the Schengen Borders Code; and denying entry to third-country nationals lacking valid permits. The Guard may detain individuals without prior criminal suspicion for up to 12 hours to verify identity or investigate border-related incidents, applying standard police procedures for collection. Coercive measures are authorized proportionally to the situation, encompassing to overcome resistance, binding to prevent escape or violence, and the use of firearms solely against immediate serious threats where lesser means are ineffective. Jurisdiction extends nationwide for and cross-border , including independent investigations into violations like or , with assistance provided to and police authorities. Maritime duties further include leading operations under the Water Traffic Act and investigating offenses such as environmental violations at sea. Recent legislative expansions, effective as of 2025, grant additional investigative powers over and linked to border activities. During wartime or states of defense, the Border Guard is subordinated to the Finnish Defence Forces command structure, transitioning from civilian law enforcement to full military integration as outlined in defense preparedness frameworks. Its personnel and units contribute to territorial defense, including armed combat operations, border zone fortification, and support for broader military maneuvers, with peacetime planning ensuring seamless mobilization. Conscript training emphasizes dual-use capabilities, allowing Border Guard units to reinforce Defence Forces detachments in hybrid threats or invasions, while retaining core surveillance roles under heightened alert protocols. This structure maintains operational continuity, with the Guard's assets—such as patrol vessels and aviation—repurposed for wartime logistics and reconnaissance.

Organization and Personnel

Command Structure

The Finnish Border Guard operates under a centralized command structure led by the Chief of the Border Guard, a position held by Markku Hassinen, who exercises supreme authority over all personnel, operations, and resources. The Chief reports administratively to the Ministry of the Interior and is responsible for ensuring border security, maritime safety, and readiness for crisis response, including potential transfer of forces to the in wartime. Assisting the Chief is the Deputy Chief of the Border Guard, Tom Hanén, who directs the Border Guard Headquarters and coordinates daily administrative and operational functions. The Guard Headquarters, located in , is divided into specialized divisions to support command execution: the Personnel Division under Tuomas Laosmaa handles recruitment, training oversight, and human resources; the and Division, led by Mika Rytkönen, manages core operational policies; the Technical Division, commanded by Jari Tolppanen, oversees equipment and ; the Legal Division, headed by Sanna Palo, advises on legal compliance and investigations; and the Planning and Finance Unit, directed by Samuli Murtonen, addresses and budgeting. This headquarters structure ensures integrated support across the agency's nine administrative units, facilitating efficient delegation from national to regional levels. Operational command devolves to four land-based border guard districts—Southeast Finland (Colonel Jaakko Olli), (Colonel Matti Pitkäniitty), (Colonel Marko Saareks), and Lapland (Colonel Mikko Lehmus)—each responsible for specific segments of the eastern and northern borders, including surveillance stations and crossing points. Maritime operations fall under two coast guard districts: (Captain Mikko Simola) and West Finland (Captain Marko Tuominen), which manage coastal patrols, , and enforcement in . Specialized units include the Air Patrol Squadron, commanded by Captain Kalle Osola, for aerial surveillance and transport, and the Border and Coast Guard under Juha Kivelä, which conducts officer and enlisted . District commanders report directly to headquarters, maintaining a military-style chain of command that emphasizes rapid response and with national defense structures.

Operational Units

The Finnish Border Guard's operational units are organized into four border guard districts responsible for land border security, primarily along the borders with , , and , and two coast guard districts handling maritime borders in the . These districts conduct surveillance, border checks, and enforcement operations within their designated areas, supported by specialized units for aerial and intervention tasks. The Southeast Finland Border Guard District oversees the eastern land border with , encompassing key crossing points and stations including Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Vainikkala, , and Kolmikanta, with a focus on preventing illegal crossings and . The Border Guard District manages a segment of the Russian border, emphasizing patrolling remote forested areas and rapid response to incursions. The Border Guard District covers central eastern border regions, integrating land patrols with environmental monitoring in wilderness zones. The Lapland Border Guard District secures the northern borders with and , operating in conditions with mobile patrols and checkpoints adapted to sparse population and harsh terrain. The Coast Guard District is responsible for maritime border control in the eastern , from Hanko to the Russian maritime boundary, conducting vessel inspections, , and countering via patrols and surveillance. The West Coast Guard District covers approximately 1,080 kilometers of and 48 kilometers of land border along the western and southwestern coasts, including the Islands (excluding the ), with 10 stations such as Nauvo, , and , and two dedicated patrol vessels (VL Uisko and VL Tursas); its duties include border checks, sea rescue operations, and prevention of . The Air Patrol Squadron operates helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from bases including Tikkakoski, supporting all districts with aerial surveillance, transport, and rapid intervention for border enforcement and maritime tasks. Specialized intervention units, such as the 1st Special Intervention Unit under the Southeast Finland District and the 5th under the Gulf of Finland District, handle high-risk operations including counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and boarding actions against non-compliant vessels. These units maintain readiness for hybrid threats and cooperate with police and defense forces in joint exercises.

Ranks and Training

The Finnish Border Guard maintains a rank structure comparable to that of the , featuring commissioned officers from (vänrikki) to (eversti), with senior command roles filled by general officers such as (prikaatikenraali). In December 2024, Ilkka Hämäläinen was promoted to to assume command of the Southeast Finland Border Guard District, while Mika Rytkönen received promotion to effective January 1, 2025, to lead the Border Guard District. Non-commissioned officers include ranks such as (sotilasmestari) and (ylivääpeli), alongside enlisted personnel, reflecting a hierarchy suited to both peacetime policing and wartime mobilization. Conscript ranks within the Border Guard emphasize specialized training, with personnel serving as border jaegers (rajajääkäri), an enlisted role equivalent to status in standard . Training for Border Guard personnel occurs at the Border and Coast Guard Academy, which delivers basic, advanced, and continuing programs to approximately 2,800 professional staff and 500 conscripts annually. Basic education establishes foundational competencies in border surveillance, legal enforcement, , and operational tactics, culminating in graduation for roles as border or coast guards; in 2023, over 100 individuals completed this training, including 16% women. Officer candidates undertake bachelor's or master's programs in , integrating theoretical instruction with field exercises at border sites. Specialized training includes the special border jaeger course for conscripts, focusing on advanced , , and rapid response in remote terrains, with all participants qualifying as non-commissioned officers and 25% advancing to reserve officer status. Maritime personnel receive Traficom-accredited courses emphasizing navigation, safety, and vessel handling, incorporating 66 weeks of sea time for operational proficiency. , attended by about 1,850 staff in 2023, refreshes skills in equipment use, legislation updates, and inter-agency cooperation, often via online modules or practical drills. All programs are conducted in Finnish and Swedish, prioritizing empirical readiness over ideological emphases.

Historical Development

Establishment and Interwar Period (1919–1939)

The Finnish Border Guard was formally established on 21 March 1919, when the Finnish Government reassigned border surveillance duties from the Finnish Defence Forces to dedicated, military-organized troops placed under the Ministry of the Interior's administrative control. This creation addressed the vulnerabilities of Finland's newly independent borders following the 1917 declaration of independence, the 1918 Civil War, and the dissolution of Russian imperial frontier units, with initial recruits sourced from Finnish Jäger veterans who had trained and fought with German forces during World War I, as well as White Guard paramilitaries active in the civil conflict. The Guard's early mandate emphasized securing land frontiers, particularly the extensive eastern border with Soviet Russia, through patrols, checkpoints, and enforcement against illicit crossings. Throughout the , the contended with a volatile eastern marked by frequent unauthorized entries, including refugees and political defectors fleeing Soviet purges and collectivization policies, which strained resources and necessitated expanded station networks and mobile detachments. emerged as a primary operational focus, exacerbated by Finland's nationwide alcohol from 1919 to 1932, which fueled cross-border trafficking in spirits and other ; the Guard collaborated with authorities, deploying foot and mounted patrols to intercept smugglers along forested and lacustrine routes. Maritime elements, including the nascent Sea Border Guard, received transferred customs vessels in 1930 to bolster coastal interdictions. By the 1930s, the organization incorporated technological enhancements, initiating aviation operations in 1930 with for and anti-smuggling pursuits, marking an early adaptation to modern border enforcement amid persistent refugee flows and Soviet border tensions. Retaining its military structure for potential wartime mobilization, the Guard numbered several thousand personnel by the decade's end, distributed across districts with a emphasis on rigorous in marksmanship, tracking, and endurance suited to Finland's rugged terrain. These efforts reflected broader interwar security priorities driven by apprehensions of Soviet , though peacetime activities remained centered on rather than overt militarization.

World War II and Immediate Postwar Era (1939–1950s)

During the Winter War (30 November 1939 – 13 March 1940), Finnish Border Guard personnel manned frontier positions and initiated combat against invading Soviet forces. Border Guard Mikko Kallionpää fired the first shot of the war on 30 November 1939 near the eastern border. Border stations, renovated between 1938 and 1939, sustained heavy damage from Soviet assaults. The Guard's experience in harsh winter conditions contributed to the development of ski troops and winter tactics employed by Finnish forces. In the (25 June 1941 – 19 September 1944), the 's companies were mobilized into the , forming 24 Border Jaeger Companies that served initially as a screening force along the border and later in offensive operations. These units were consolidated into 12 Border Jäger Battalions for sustained combat roles, including crossings of the pre-1939 Soviet border, such as in Virolahti on 29 June 1941. Border Guard elements also coordinated civilian evacuations from vulnerable frontier areas starting 20 June 1941. The Border Jäger Battalions participated in the (15 September 1944 – 25 April 1945), conducting operations against retreating German forces in northern to comply with the terms requiring the expulsion of German troops. Finnish ground forces in the theater, including Border Guard-derived units, totaled approximately 75,000 personnel at peak strength. After the conclusion of hostilities in 1945, the Border Guard transitioned to peacetime duties, establishing presence along all Finnish land borders, including the adjusted eastern frontier following territorial concessions to the . Surveillance extended to western and northern borders previously less emphasized. In the , the Sea Guard (Merivartiosto) was formally attached to the Border Guard, enhancing maritime border enforcement capabilities. Postwar aviation assets, including aircraft, supported surveillance until their retirement around 1950. Veterans' combat experience influenced postwar training, particularly in guerrilla tactics.

Cold War Neutrality and Post-Cold War Reforms (1960s–2000s)

During the Cold War, the Finnish Border Guard upheld Finland's neutrality under the Paasikivi-Kekkonen doctrine by enforcing strict yet non-provocative surveillance along the 1,300-kilometer eastern border with the Soviet Union. This involved maintaining a network of remote outposts designed for close monitoring of potential unauthorized crossings, espionage, and defections, ensuring no incidents escalated bilateral tensions. The agency's operations emphasized cooperation with Soviet border guards to facilitate smooth relations, including protocols for returning illegal crossers to Soviet authorities as part of neutrality commitments. Maritime and air surveillance in areas like the Gulf of Finland was intensified to detect smuggling and incursions, with flight operations supporting reconnaissance amid heightened geopolitical pressures. The Border Guard's structure during this era integrated into Finland's total defense framework, with personnel prepared for wartime subordination to the Defense Forces while remaining under the Ministry of the Interior in peacetime. Threats were perceived as localized and predictable, primarily from Soviet influence, prompting a focus on deterrence through presence rather than confrontation. Events such as Soviet missile incidents near the border underscored the need for vigilant patrolling, as seen in cases involving Lapland in the . The in introduced new risks, including border instability, civil unrest spillover, and surges in illegal migration from . In response, the allocated 30 million Finnish marks in autumn to enhance border security capabilities. This funding enabled the creation of special intervention units on 1 February 1992, initially as part-time rapid-response teams for high-threat scenarios such as mass unauthorized entries and support for other agencies during crises. Post-Cold War reforms accelerated in the , transitioning the from isolated, forest-based postings to more public-facing and integrated roles amid diminishing eastern threats. Finland's EU accession in 1995 positioned the agency as a guardian of the 's northern external borders, prompting adaptations in training and operations. A basic training course for special intervention personnel was introduced in 1995 for volunteers, while units centralized into regional formations like the 1st (Southeast Finland) and 5th (). By the 2000s, these units shifted to full-time professional status, expanding capabilities for countering , risks, and environmental threats. The outpost model faced gradual dismantling as surveillance technology advanced, with remote stations consolidated to improve efficiency, though full closures occurred later. Reforms emphasized with EU partners and preparation for entry in 2001, which abolished internal checks but reinforced external controls.

EU Integration, NATO Accession, and Modernization (2010s–Present)

The Finnish Border Guard has deepened its integration into EU border management frameworks during the 2010s and 2020s, primarily through active participation in the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). Established as part of the EU's response to migration challenges, the Border Guard contributes personnel and equipment to the Frontex standing corps, formalized in 2019, fulfilling obligations under EU regulations. In 2023, it supported Frontex operations across various fronts, including border surveillance and returns, while in 2024, it joined the EU's Multipurpose Maritime Operation in the Baltic Sea alongside Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and EU agencies to enhance maritime security and combat cross-border crime. This cooperation aligns with Schengen Area protocols, emphasizing integrated border management without altering Finland's external border responsibilities. Finland's accession to on April 4, 2023, extended the alliance's border with by over 1,300 kilometers but prompted no immediate structural changes to the Border Guard's operations, which remain under the Ministry of the Interior. Officials stated that recreational access to border areas would continue, maintaining peacetime norms despite the geopolitical shift. However, membership heightened defense readiness, particularly amid Russian hybrid tactics, including the weaponization of migration, which saw asylum seekers funneled to Finland's eastern border post-Ukraine invasion. In response, the Border Guard executed the closure of all land border crossings with by December 15, 2023, citing as a security threat, with the closure extended indefinitely into 2025. Modernization efforts in the and focused on equipment upgrades, organizational flexibility, and expanded legal powers to counter evolving threats. The acquisition of Turva-class patrol vessels in the early enhanced maritime capabilities for and response in the . In June 2024, a €163 million was awarded to for two Challenger 650 aircraft, set for delivery in 2027–2028 to replace aging Dornier Do 228s, bolstering aerial border monitoring along the Russian frontier. Organizationally, 2025 reforms in the Southeast and districts consolidated units for resource agility amid heightened eastern border pressures. Legislative updates, including a December 2024 project to review preparedness powers and July 2024 amendments enabling denial of entry during hybrid influences, fortified the Guard's ability to maintain public order and security.

Equipment and Capabilities

Aircraft and Aviation Assets

The Finnish Border Guard's Air Patrol Squadron (Vartiolentolaivue) manages aviation operations with a fleet comprising 12 helicopters and two fixed-wing , logging approximately 4,000 flight hours annually. These assets support border surveillance over land and sea, maritime (SAR), medical evacuations, forest fire suppression, and assistance to other authorities. Helicopters form the core of rotary-wing capabilities, distributed across bases in , , and for continuous SAR readiness. The fleet includes five H215 Super Puma helicopters (two at Helsinki, three at ), used for heavy-lift SAR and transport missions; three helicopters at for northern border patrols; and four AW119 Koala light helicopters (two each at Helsinki and ) for agile and support roles. Fixed-wing operations rely on two Dornier Do 228 aircraft stationed at , equipped for , environmental monitoring, and international missions such as those under . These aircraft, acquired in the , provide extended endurance for sea area surveillance but are nearing obsolescence. In modernization efforts, the awarded a 163 million contract in June 2024 to for two RAPCON-X multipurpose surveillance jets based on the 650 platform, under the MVX program. These will replace the Dornier 228s, enhancing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and with advanced sensors for border and territorial water monitoring, SAR support, and environmental response. The first aircraft arrived at SNC's facility in October 2025 for systems integration, with deliveries scheduled for early 2027 and 2028.
Aircraft TypeQuantityPrimary Base(s)Key Roles
H215 Super Puma5 (2), (3)Heavy SAR, transport, fire suppression
Bell 4123Northern patrols,
AW119 Koala4 (2), (2)Light support, border surveillance
Dornier Do 2282,

Watercraft and Maritime Equipment

The Finnish Border Guard's maritime fleet comprises offshore patrol vessels for extended operations and smaller craft for coastal and archipelagic duties, supporting border surveillance, , and response along Finland's 1,340-kilometer coastline and island territories. As of late 2024, the fleet includes three operational offshore patrol vessels, with , commissioned in 2014 by Rauma shipyard, serving as the largest and most advanced at 95.9 meters in length and 17.4 meters in beam. Powered by (LNG), Turva enables prolonged patrols in the , equipped for helicopter operations, diver support, and light armament including machine guns. The two older vessels, from the Tursas and Uisko classes, handle similar multi-role tasks but face obsolescence. To modernize, two new Turva-class multi-purpose offshore patrol vessels are being built by , with hulls fabricated in and final assembly in . The lead vessel, Karhu, was christened on August 22, 2025, with deliveries scheduled for 2026 and 2027; these €448 million ships (including €23.4 million in EU funding) replace the three outgoing vessels, maintaining a core of three large units. Designed for 330 days of annual sea time, they feature enhanced energy efficiency, oil and chemical spill response systems, mass evacuation capacity, and command facilities for helicopters and inter-agency operations, projecting service until the 2050s. Smaller assets include rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) and patrol craft for rapid interception and surveillance in shallow waters, supplemented by for ice-covered or reed-choked archipelagos. In 2023, three lightweight replaced older hydrocopters, improving agility at coastal border stations for quick-response missions. These vessels typically carry light armaments such as heavy machine guns and are integrated with the Guard's aviation and land units for comprehensive .

Land Vehicles and Surveillance Technology

The Finnish Border Guard maintains a fleet of approximately 178 patrol cars, 5 motorcycles, 29 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and 57 snowmobiles for ground operations as of 2023. These vehicles support border patrolling across Finland's 1,340-kilometer land border with , as well as internal checkpoints and remote terrain in Lapland and eastern regions, where snowmobiles and ATVs enable access during harsh winters and off-road conditions. Patrol cars, often equipped with communication systems and light armaments, facilitate rapid response to unauthorized crossings, while motorcycles aid in agile pursuits on secondary roads. Land border integrates mobile patrols with stationary technical systems, including radars, cameras, and sensors deployed at stations and watchtowers to detect intrusions in real-time. These systems monitor forested and sparsely populated areas, supplemented by unmanned aerial systems (drones) for overhead reconnaissance, which the has employed since at least the early 2020s to enhance detection amid hybrid threats like . Trained detection dogs provide additional capability for tracking human scent and in challenging environments. In 2024, the deployed a new radio system along the eastern and adjacent maritime zones to intercept unauthorized communications and signals, bolstering defenses against coordinated incursions observed since late 2023. Finnish legislation, updated in 2024, expands the use of such technologies for proactive security, prioritizing empirical detection over reactive measures. Integration with EU frameworks, including data-sharing via , further refines these tools, though domestic systems emphasize sovereignty in operations.

Operations and Cooperation

Domestic Inter-Agency Collaboration

The Finnish Border Guard maintains extensive domestic inter-agency collaboration, primarily with the Police, , and , to enhance border security, combat cross-border crime, and ensure national safety. This cooperation is formalized through frameworks such as the PTR model (encompassing Police, , and Border Guard), which aims to address evolving operational challenges by pooling resources, intelligence, and expertise. Established under legal agreements, PTR collaboration promotes the fulfillment of criminal responsibility and societal security by allowing agencies to perform overlapping duties when necessary, including joint patrols and intelligence sharing. Collaboration with focuses on joint operations against , , and public order threats, exemplified by intensified joint patrols in southeastern starting in 2024 to counter smuggling and unauthorized crossings. In practice, the provides specialized border and rapid response capabilities, while contributes investigative and resources; for instance, during the 2025 monitoring of the Eagle S tanker, the offered maritime and aerial support to Police operations, coordinated with assets. The PTR strategy was updated on January 30, 2025, to adapt to heightened geopolitical risks, emphasizing integrated threat assessments and resource allocation across these agencies. With , the employs a one-stop approach, particularly at land crossings with , integrating inspections for declarations, checks, and facilitation to streamline operations without compromising controls. This model, formalized in agreements like the PCB cooperation, facilitates shared use of personnel and technology for detecting and fiscal evasion, with joint heavy goods vehicle inspections in southern involving coordinated risk profiling and enforcement actions. Annual resource enhancements, such as the €13 million allocated to the in May 2025 for operational strengthening, further bolster this tandem effort alongside Police and funding increases. The Border Guard's partnership with the centers on territorial defense and surveillance, where the Guard assumes peacetime border duties but integrates military assets during heightened threats, such as patrolling land and sea borders to safeguard . This includes joint exercises and resource sharing for rapid mobilization, with the Border Guard handling routine patrols that free Defence Forces for core tasks. In broader responses, coordination extends to entities like services and the Emergency Response Centre, ensuring seamless handovers in search-and-rescue or crisis scenarios.

International Partnerships and Missions

The Finnish Border Guard engages in extensive international cooperation primarily through the framework, contributing personnel and resources to the as mandated by EU Regulation 2019/1896. In 2023, it deployed officers to Frontex-coordinated operations, including support for maritime border management in the Mediterranean directed toward and , focusing on surveillance, migrant registration, and document verification. This involvement underscores Finland's role in collective EU external border security, with the Border Guard providing specialized expertise in coastal and aerial patrols derived from its domestic maritime capabilities. Bilateral and regional partnerships emphasize Nordic and Baltic neighbors, with formalized agreements enhancing cross-border operations in the and Arctic regions. The collaborates closely with counterparts in , , and on joint patrols, information sharing, and environmental response, including prevention of oil spills through a Nordic pact extended to , , and the . Intensified ties since 2023 include coordinated exercises and surveillance with , , and to address hybrid threats along eastern flanks. These arrangements facilitate rapid response to transnational issues like and irregular migration without compromising national sovereignty. Following Finland's accession on April 4, 2023, the has integrated measures into its strategy, participating in alliance activities aligned with national defense priorities, such as joint exercises and collective defense planning. This includes contributions to 's enhanced forward presence in the Nordic-Baltic area, though operations remain subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior's civilian mandate. In August 2024, the joined the EU's Multipurpose Maritime Operation in the , leveraging coordination for hybrid threat monitoring, which indirectly supports objectives amid regional tensions. International exercises like the ATLAS NAVAL HELO in August 2025 further honed helicopter and with Nordic and Baltic partners. Reciprocally, partners have bolstered Finnish operations; deployed over 50 officers, vehicles, and equipment to Finland's eastern border in late 2023 to counter orchestrated migrant influxes attributed to Russian actions, extending support into 2024 for surveillance and registration amid heightened geopolitical risks. Such mutual assistance highlights causal linkages between regional stability and deterrence, prioritizing empirical threat assessments over ideological narratives in source evaluations from official and Finnish channels.

Search and Rescue, Pollution Response, and Special Operations


The Finnish Border Guard serves as the leading authority for maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations within Finland's designated sea area in the Baltic Sea, extending into international waters. These responsibilities encompass organizing and managing SAR efforts, including searches and medical transports, but exclude property salvage, which is handled by commercial entities. Operations are coordinated through Maritime Rescue Command Centres (MRCC) located in Turku and Helsinki, which direct responses involving Border Guard vessels, aircraft, other authorities, volunteers, and commercial or passenger ships. Aviation assets support SAR by providing surveillance and assistance, such as detecting distress signals or illegal discharges during monitoring flights. In marine pollution response, the Border Guard has held primary responsibility for operations on the high seas since 2019, acting as the competent authority for incidents like in open waters. It maintains substantial equipment stockpiles for response, stored in coastal warehouses for rapid deployment in the event of a spill. Border Guard and Finnish Navy vessels provide the highest recovery capacity and quickest response times for environmental damage at sea, with ongoing monitoring for illegal discharges via aerial and maritime patrols. The agency regularly develops and practices response procedures, collaborating closely with the Navy in marine areas to enhance readiness. The Border Guard operates specialized intervention units established on February 1, 1992, in response to heightened border security needs following the Soviet Union's collapse and a 30 million Finnish mark appropriation in late 1991. Initially formed as a reserve force, these units evolved into full-time professional by the 2000s, with two active units today: the 1st Special Intervention Unit under the Southeast Border Guard District for nationwide tasks and the 5th under the Coast Guard District. Each unit comprises a team leader, deputy, command element, three operational groups, two dog handlers with canines, and two divers, focusing on rapid , preventing unauthorized entries, managing high-risk border incidents, and supporting other agencies like in handling dangerous individuals or search operations. The units participate in international cooperation through the EU's and missions, with capabilities tested in initial exercises like the May 1993 operation in Immola against simulated . Complementing these are Special Border Jaeger conscripts, trained to levels or higher (with about 25% as reserve officers), preparing for specialized border defense roles. Joint exercises with , such as the August 2025 helicopter and training in and the , enhance capabilities for maritime special situations.

Recent Developments and Security Challenges

Modernization Initiatives (2020s)

In response to heightened geopolitical tensions, including Russia's 2022 invasion of and Finland's subsequent accession, the Finnish Border Guard accelerated modernization efforts to bolster surveillance, maritime patrol, and defense capabilities. These initiatives focused on replacing aging equipment, integrating advanced technologies, and expanding operational authorities to address hybrid threats and illegal crossings along the eastern . A primary component involved procuring two Turva-class offshore patrol vessels to replace three obsolete ships, including the decommissioned Uisko and aging Tursas and another vessel. These 98-meter multi-purpose ships, powered by , enhance endurance, speed, and sensor integration for and search-and-rescue missions, with deliveries scheduled for 2025 and 2026 to extend service life into the 2050s. The MVX aviation modernization project targeted the replacement of two Dornier 228 patrol aircraft with advanced 650-based platforms equipped with Sierra Nevada Corporation's RAPCON-X reconnaissance systems for improved maritime surveillance, including , electro-optical sensors, and . The first aircraft is slated for delivery in early 2027, followed by the second in 2028, addressing the fleet's obsolescence and enhancing all-weather operational range. Legislative reforms in 2024 authorized expanded use of technologies, such as drones and sensors, for proactive monitoring and rapid response, while the 2024 defense budget funded approximately 200 kilometers of smart fencing with integrated detection systems along the Russian to counter . In 2025, the Border Guard announced the establishment of a maritime surveillance center in the Gulf of Finland to protect critical undersea infrastructure, in collaboration with other Baltic Sea states and the European Commission. Organizational restructuring in May 2025 reallocated resources in southeast Finland and for greater flexibility amid persistent eastern threats.

Response to Eastern Border Hybrid Threats (2023–2025)

In late 2023, the Finnish Border Guard faced a surge of undocumented migrants crossing the eastern border from Russia, totaling over 1,300 arrivals between August and November, which Finnish authorities attributed to Russian orchestration as a hybrid warfare tactic to destabilize the border following Finland's NATO accession. To counter this threat, the Border Guard, in coordination with the government, closed all eight land border crossings with Russia on November 28, 2023, initially for two weeks, with extensions continuing indefinitely to safeguard national security and public order. These closures effectively reduced unauthorized entries to near zero, as confirmed in Border Guard operational reviews. The intensified patrols and surveillance along the 1,340-kilometer border, leveraging enhanced access roads for rapid response and integrating advanced monitoring technologies to detect and deter crossings. Preparatory exercises for hybrid threats, conducted earlier in 2023, transitioned into operational reality, enabling the agency to maintain control amid the crisis. In parallel, construction of a 200-kilometer barrier commenced, featuring a 4.5-meter mesh structure equipped with cameras, floodlights, audio sensors, and patrol paths; by May 2025, the first 35 kilometers were completed in Southeast , with an additional 18 kilometers finished in by June. Full completion is projected for 2026, prioritizing high-risk sections near crossing points. Legislatively, the Border Guard's mandate was bolstered by the Border Security Act, enacted in July 2024, which authorizes personnel to reject asylum claims and conduct pushbacks at the eastern border during periods of , applicable for up to one year and extendable. This measure, invoked amid ongoing threats, allows for the denial of entry without force in most cases, except for vulnerable individuals, and was extended into 2025 alongside the persistent border shutdown. Additionally, the agency advanced its security information systems through contracts for modernized operational tools, enhancing data-driven border management against hybrid risks. These responses have sustained border integrity into 2025, despite Russia's withdrawal from bilateral border agreements in 2024, which viewed as further escalation of hybrid tactics.

Controversies and Debates

Border Security Act and Pushback Measures

In response to a surge in irregular crossings at the Finnish-Russian border, attributed by Finnish authorities to Russian-orchestrated instrumentalized migration as a hybrid influence tactic following Finland's NATO accession in April 2023, the Finnish Parliament passed the Border Security Act on July 12, 2024. The legislation, formally known as the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration, entered into force on July 22, 2024, and is initially valid for one year, with extensions proposed through December 31, 2026. It authorizes the Finnish Border Guard to deny entry to asylum seekers at designated eastern border points without processing their claims, provided the government declares a state of instrumentalized migration posing a threat to national security or public order. The act emerged amid documented increases in crossings, with arrivals rising from negligible levels earlier in 2023 to over 1,300 between August and November 2023, primarily involving third-country nationals from , , , and who arrived via bicycles or vehicles facilitated across the Russian side. Finnish officials cited evidence of Russian border guards' involvement in waiving visa requirements and directing migrants, leading to full closure of the 1,340-kilometer eastern land border on November 28, 2023, which has been maintained since. Pushback measures under the act permit personnel to immediately return individuals to the Russian side without formal asylum interviews for up to seven days in activated zones, excluding those deemed vulnerable (e.g., unaccompanied minors or persons with evident health risks), while allowing selective entry if no instrumentalization is confirmed. This framework aims to deter state-sponsored pressure tactics without blanket closures, equipping the with legal tools previously limited by EU asylum directives requiring individual assessments. As of early 2025, the act's pushback provisions have not been activated, with the remaining closed to prevent exploitation; however, the has prepared contingency protocols for the , including enhanced and rapid response units. Proponents, including the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, argue the measures restore against asymmetric threats, noting Russia's history of similar tactics elsewhere (e.g., Belarus-EU in 2021), and emphasize empirical patterns of organized facilitation over spontaneous migration. Critics, such as and UNHCR, contend the law contravenes the principle under the 1951 Refugee Convention and EU law by presuming rejection without , potentially enabling arbitrary denials and endangering lives in sub-zero conditions, though Finnish assessments counter that returns occur safely and Russian authorities retain responsibility for . The has acknowledged the exceptional context but urged proportionality, highlighting tensions between state security imperatives and universal asylum norms.

Criticisms of Operational Practices and Human Rights Claims

In response to a surge of over 1,300 undocumented third-country nationals crossing from into without visas since August 2023, the progressively closed all eastern border crossing points by December 2023 and enacted a temporary Border Security Act on , 2024, authorizing border guards to deny entry and return individuals attempting irregular crossings at designated points for up to one year, citing as a hybrid orchestrated by Russian authorities. This measure, applicable only when crossings are deemed to pose a risk, has drawn criticism from human rights organizations for potentially violating the principle of under international and law, which prohibits returning individuals to frontiers where they face serious harm. Amnesty International described the Act as a "green light for violence and pushbacks," arguing it undermines asylum access and risks summary returns without individual assessments, practices deemed incompatible with the Return Directive and rulings from the that classify pushbacks at border points as conflicting with law. The High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned that restricting asylum rights in this manner endangers lives and exposes people to human suffering, potentially setting a for other states facing similar pressures, though UNHCR has consistently critiqued border closure tactics across Europe amid debates over their alignment with the 1951 Refugee Convention. Finnish Border Guard officials, including three who spoke anonymously to in March 2024, expressed internal reservations about the proposed legislation, terming it a form of "refoulement" that could compromise operational ethics and expose personnel to legal risks under international obligations. Critics, including advocacy groups and some EU observers, contend that even pre-legislation practices—such as denying entry at closed checkpoints—amounted to de facto pushbacks, with reports of migrants, primarily from the and , being left in harsh winter conditions near the border, raising concerns over exposure to and family separations. However, Finnish authorities maintain that the influx was not driven by genuine persecution but facilitated by Russian border officials as geopolitical leverage following Finland's accession in April 2023, with evidence including coordinated taxi transports from St. Petersburg and a lack of visa documentation among arrivals, who originated from countries like , , and rather than Russia itself. No verified instances of Border Guard-inflicted violence or deaths have been documented in official inquiries, though NGOs like , which have advocated against similar controls in and , project risks based on patterns elsewhere in .

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