Estonia: Russia used nationals abroad to sow discontent over Finland's border closures

On April 12, 2024, the Estonian Internal Security Service (ISS) reported that Russia has been openly sending migrants to the Estonian and Finnish borders without concealing its involvement, aiming to provoke societal tensions in neighboring countries. The ISS indicated that Russia used its nationals abroad to incite discontent over Finland's border closures on its border. The report alleged that Russia sought to create anxiety among local populations and complicate the countries' border management by facilitating migration flows. Additionally, the report cited one case involving a Russian travel blogger with millions of subscribers used to spread false information about Finnish border re-entry restrictions. The security agency emphasized that these activities form part of Russia's so-called hybrid influencing strategy. The report also mentioned the recent damage to undersea communication cables in the Baltic Sea, although it did not directly connect this sabotage to the migrant flows.