The Finnish Border Guard has announced changes to the operating hours at the Vartius–Lyttya checkpoint in southern Karelia. The adjustment comes in response to a sustained drop in traffic, leading officials to shorten the daily window of operation starting June 12. This update is published on the agency’s official website and reflects a broader effort to align border resources with current crossing demand.
Effective from June 12, the Vartius–Lyttya border point will be open from 09:00 to 17:00 from Monday through Thursday, and from 09:00 to 19:00 on Fridays through Sundays. Meanwhile, the Kuusamo–Suopera international crossing will maintain its existing hours, operating daily from 09:00 to 16:00 from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, crossing at Kuusamo–Suopera will not be possible.
The shortened hours at both Vartius and Kuusamo are set to continue until October 28, 2023, unless there is a notable shift in border crossing activity that necessitates a different schedule. The rationale given by border officials centers on reduced traffic density at these checkpoints, allowing a reallocation of resources to meet actual demand.
In related context, a former Finnish border guard recently commented on an incident near the border, noting how a bear interaction occurred close to the Finnish-Russian frontier. This anecdote underscores the varied conditions that can accompany border regions, though it does not alter current administrative practices at the crossing points.