Following Finland’s decision to close border crossings, Ecolines announced the temporary halt of bus services between Russia and Finland. The notice appeared on the company’s official site and described the situation as a direct response to the Finnish authorities’ movement restrictions at the Vaalimaa checkpoint.
The company stated that because the Republic of Finland ordered vehicles to stop moving through the Vaalimaa international checkpoint starting at 20:00 on December 15, 2023, the St. Petersburg to Helsinki route would be suspended until further notice. The final two trips to Helsinki were scheduled for December 15 at 06:45 and 14:00 Moscow time. Conversely, the last return trip from Helsinki to St. Petersburg was planned for December 15 at 14:30.
Reports from Finnish officials indicate that the border would be officially closed at all checkpoints on the evening of December 15. An explanation provided by authorities suggested that refugee flows had begun to rise after Helsinki decided to reopen two border points with Russia, a topic discussed during a parliamentary session. The situation highlighted ongoing concerns about cross-border movement and regional security dynamics in the area.
On December 14, the border became operational again for the first time after the earlier closure. Two checkpoints were reactivated: Vaalimaa, also known as Torfyanovka in Russian, and Niirala, known as Vyartsilya in Russian. The reopening marked a temporary shift in border operations as the authorities evaluated security and humanitarian considerations in a rapidly changing environment.
Observers note that the closure affected traffic patterns and travel plans, prompting discussions about the broader impact on regional mobility, trade, and the travel plans of residents and visitors in the area. The events underscored how quickly border policies can change in response to evolving conditions along the Finland-Russia frontier.
Analysts and former journalists have reflected on the consequences of the border shutdown, noting the immediate disruption to ongoing cross-border movements and the broader implications for transportation services in the region. The situation remains fluid as authorities assess security needs, humanitarian concerns, and the orderly management of crossings for the near term. Attribution for these developments includes coverage from Finnish news outlets and statements from officials cited in parliamentary discussions, as reported by Yle and other regional media sources.