Finland Moves to Deport 2 Russian Anti-War Activists as 1,039 Russians Were Removed Since 2022
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 9
Finland Moves to Deport 2 Russian Anti-War Activists as 1,039 Russians Were Removed Since 2022
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 9
Summary
Nikita Belov, 25, and his mother Olga, 55, could be deported within weeks after Finland again denied their asylum claims despite their public pro-Ukraine activism and stated fear of arrest, jail and torture in Russia.
The pair fled Russia in 2022 after military summons, threats and police visits, and Nikita says he was pressured after trying to leave research work he discovered was tied to the war effort.
April detention pending deportation was halted by a court, but the family is still awaiting a final ruling; their lawyer says Nikita's past access to confidential government information could heighten the risk on return.
The case fits a broader pattern in Finland, where legal experts say Russians' future risk is often underassessed: 1,039 Russians were deported between February 2022 and June 2026, the highest total for any nationality.
The dispute unfolds as Finland has hardened its Russia policy since the invasion of Ukraine—closing the border, accusing Moscow of a hybrid operation and tightening asylum procedures after joining NATO in 2023.