Finland Sends Alleged Wagner Mercenary Back to Russia After Asylum Denial

Finland deported a Russian individual who crossed the border illegally in June, according to the border guard’s statement to AFP on Monday. Local media reported that he is a former mercenary associated with the Wagner private military company.

The man, whose name and age have not been revealed, was apprehended by Finnish border guards on June 17 after he crossed the border illegally through a forest near Kitee in eastern Finland. Although he applied for asylum in Finland, his request was denied by immigration officials, leading to his deportation.

A border guard spokesman confirmed that the deportation took place on November 14.

«Our patrol took him to the Niirala border crossing, from which he proceeded into Russia,» stated Mikko Kallinen of the North Karelia Border Guard District in an interview with AFP.

While authorities did not disclose his full identity, public broadcaster Yle reported that his first name is Yevgeny and he had previously worked as a mercenary for the Wagner group in Russia.

Kallinen mentioned that an initial investigation corroborated the individual’s military history but refrained from commenting on his alleged connections to Wagner.

On social media, the man referred to himself as a soldier of Wagner while expressing dissatisfaction with the Russian military leadership, according to Yle.

Investigative reports reviewed by AFP indicated that the man claimed to have fought in Ukraine before ultimately fleeing the country.

In December 2023, Finland closed its border with Russia in response to a surge of asylum seekers and undocumented migrants, which Helsinki characterized as a hybrid operation orchestrated by the Kremlin.

The country is now constructing a 200-kilometer (124-mile) fence along its border with Russia, with completion expected by 2026 at an estimated cost of 380 million euros ($441 million).

Earlier in 2023, a Russian man claiming to be a deserter from Wagner sought asylum in Norway after escaping to the Scandinavian nation. Although his application was ultimately rejected, he received a temporary residence permit due to potential threats he could face if he returned to Russia.