EU official assesses security situation at Finland-Russia border

The Russian Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber after it crashed in an agricultural field; The bomber in flames before crashing Pics/X

The head of the European Union's executive branch said Friday that Finland's decision to close its border crossings with Russia over a surge in migrants was a security matter for the whole 27-member bloc to consider.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the remarks during a trip to the frontier, visiting a part of the border located in the Arctic.
"We all know how (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his allies instrumentalise migrants to test our defenses and to try to destabilise us," von der Leyen said. "Now Putin is focusing on Finland."

On April 4, Finland extended the closure of its border crossing points with Russia. Eight of the nine checkpoints with Russia have been closed. The only one that remains open is dedicated rail corridor used mainly for cargo trains.

Eight killed in Ukraine; Russian strategic bomber goes down

Russian missiles struck cities in the central Dnipro region of Ukraine, killing eight people, including an 8-year-old girl, and injuring 25, local officials said. Meanwhile, the Ukraine's air force claimed Friday it shot down a Russian strategic bomber, but Moscow officials said the plane crashed in a sparsely populated area due to a malfunction after a combat mission. Neither claim could be independently verified. Previous Ukrainian claims of shooting down Russian warplanes during their more than two-year war have met with silence or denials from Moscow.

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