Temporary shelter centers have been established in the border town of Kostomuksha, located in Karelia near Finland. The information comes from TASS, citing the press service of the regional committee tasked with ensuring the well being and safety of residents.
These shelters sit close to the Lyytia border crossing, also known as Vartius. They were created to house refugees and migrants, with the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations coordinating the facilities across the Republic of Karelia.
On Sunday, November 19, sixteen people traveling from Iraq, Somalia, Syria and other nations crossed from Russia into Finland via the Vartius crossing.
The Finnish border gate, Vartius, which had been open until the evening, closed at 18:00 as scheduled for that day.
The situation at Vartius grew more complicated on November 18 when Finnish authorities temporarily halted operations at the crossing due to crowding. The halt followed a surge as 67 refugees arrived in a single day, creating a density issue at the checkpoint.
Observers note that Finland faces ongoing challenges along its shared border with Russia, highlighting the complexities of cross-border movement and humanitarian response in the region. The authorities in Karelia emphasize the intent to provide safe reception points while coordinating with Finnish counterparts to manage arrivals, keep processing orderly, and ensure the wellbeing of those seeking shelter.