Finland denies asylum to Russian activists facing potential deportation

Nikita and Olga Belov, a Russian mother and son, face potential deportation from Finland after their asylum applications were repeatedly denied. The pair fled Russia in 2022 following their opposition to the invasion of Ukraine. Nikita, an engineer, left his position at a Moscow research institute after discovering his metallurgical work was linked to the Russian war effort.

Since arriving in Finland, the Belovs have been active supporters of Ukraine, coordinating aid for the country and its armed forces. However, the Finnish immigration service has stated that they face "no real risk" of harm if returned to Russia. Legal experts have expressed concern that the human rights risks for Russians in similar positions have not been sufficiently assessed.

The Belov case reflects a broader trend in Finland-Russia relations. Between February 2022 and June 2026, Finnish authorities deported 1,039 Russians, the highest number of any nationality. Additionally, 1,109 out of 1,342 Russians were refused entry due to negative asylum applications during that period. This follows Finland's decision to close its border, citing Russian "hybrid operations" and increased military presence near the frontier.