Finland has deported 155 Russian citizens this year, outpacing 2025
Finland has deported 155 Russian nationals since the start of 2026, Chief Superintendent Janne Lepsu of Finland’s National Police Board told the Russian-language outlet Vot Tak — up from more than the 104 people expelled in the first nine months of 2025.
Finland has deported 155 Russian citizens so far in 2026, surpassing the 104 who were expelled during the first nine months of 2025, according to Chief Superintendent Janne Lepsu of Finland’s National Police Board. The deportees were sent primarily to Russia, with 90 individuals, and the remainder to other countries. Seventeen deportees were escorted during their removal.
The Finnish Immigration Service typically denies residence permits to Russian nationals, leading to deportation. However, in 2026, about 15 to 20 deportations were linked to criminal activity by Russian citizens. Prior to 2026, deportees were transported to Estonia before crossing into Russia. Finnish journalist Valery Klepkin noted that the Russians being deported often have expired passports, making it difficult to relocate them elsewhere.
As of May 31, 2026, only 60 asylum applications were pending, and 91 cases were under consideration by the Supreme Administrative Court. Klepkin added that the chances of asylum approval for Russians have improved this year, with the asylum service granting asylum in 37% of cases from September 2025 to June 2026, up from 21% in the previous year.
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