Finland returned a Wagner group member to Russia who was seeking asylum.

The Border Guard of Northern Karelia completed the procedure of deporting a Russian citizen named Evgeny from Finland on November 14, who had previously illegally crossed the country’s border.
The man turned out to be no ordinary violator — according to Finnish media, he is a former fighter of the private military company “Wagner”, who participated in battles in eastern Ukraine.

From the front line to the EU border

Evgeny crossed the Russian-Finnish border on June 17, trying to escape persecution. The Finnish publication Yle published photos and materials confirming his participation in combat operations.
His social media retained footage from the conflict zone, as well as posts criticizing the Russian military leadership.
Sources claim that after fleeing, he filed an asylum application, hoping to receive international protection, but the Finnish Immigration Service denied it.

Deportation decision: no right to asylum

The deputy commander of the border guard confirmed that the man has a military past and was deported after all legal procedures were completed.
The decision on his deportation was made by the migration authorities, and the operation to transfer him to Russia took place at the Niirala checkpoint, where he was officially banned from entering Finland.

Who was hiding under the name Evgeny

Journalist Kosti Heiskanen suggests that this is about Zhaslan Mustakhanov, also known as Evgeny Shpartun. According to Mediazona, he was born in Omsk in 1992 and before participating in the war had six convictions — for theft, robbery, and violence.
In the fall of 2023, he was detained in a case of a jewelry store robbery, after which he was sentenced to six years in prison. How he ended up on the front and why he was free is still unknown.

Finland strengthens border control

This case became another episode in a series of detentions of Russians with a military past trying to enter the European Union through the northern borders. Finland has tightened its security policy, increasing checks and installing additional barriers along the eastern border.

The story of Mustakhanov is not just a chronicle of border violation. It is the story of a country where criminals who fought under the “Wagner” flag are trying to hide from the war they helped ignite.