Finland has taken measures to strengthen its border security with Russia amid a surge in migrant arrivals, which the country claims are a result of increased defense cooperation with the United States. As many as 300 migrants from Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, and Syria have entered Finland this week, prompting the Finnish Border Guard to tighten control at border posts.

According to Reuters, the Finnish Border Guard reported the arrival of the migrants from the Middle East and Africa. In response, Finland has erected razor-wire barriers at the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra, and Niirala border posts in southeast Finland. The barriers were installed on Friday at midnight to prevent migrants from crossing the border freely into the country.

Despite the barriers, two individuals managed to breach the security measures and cross into Finland. Border authorities have pledged to improve the barriers to make similar crossings impossible in the future. The migrants have reportedly entered Finland without proper documentation and have sought asylum, alleging aid from Russian authorities in their journey to the highly controlled border zone.

Reports from both Finnish and Russian media suggest that the migrants have been provided with bicycles to facilitate their passage. This has raised suspicions that Russian authorities may have played a role in helping the migrants reach the border zone. However, Moscow has vehemently denied these allegations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed regret over Finland's decision to distance itself from their previously amicable bilateral relations.

The Finland-Russia land border, which extends for a total of 832 miles (1,340 kilometers), predominantly passes through dense forests in the south and reaches the rugged terrain in the Arctic north. Serving as the European Union's external frontier, the border currently has nine crossing points, with one dedicated solely to rail travel.

As Finland endeavors to address the escalating influx of migrants, tensions between the country and Russia continue to mount. With both sides strongly holding their positions, the future of their bilateral relations remains uncertain.