Hate crimes in Finland reached record levels in 2024, according to the Police University College of Finland’s annual report, with a significant increase in offenses targeting Russian nationals. The report revealed that authorities documented over 1,800 suspected hate crimes, the highest number on record, with 68% motivated by the victim’s ethnic or national background. Most victims (67%) held Finnish citizenship, while Russians accounted for approximately 3% of cases, totaling 46 incidents—an 18% rise from the previous year.
The report noted a decline in crimes against Estonians and Ukrainians compared to 2023, but an uptick in attacks against Russians. Assault was the most common offense, followed by defamation, with many incidents occurring in public outdoor spaces. Men comprised three-fifths of victims, while women were more frequently targeted with defamation.
Tensions have intensified since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, coinciding with the election of Daniel Sazonov, a Helsinki mayor with Russian-born parents, as a surprise to many. Meanwhile, President Alexander Stubb has adopted a harderline stance, warning of potential European conflicts should Russia resume aggression—a claim Moscow has repeatedly dismissed.
The EU recently announced restrictions on Schengen visas for most Russian citizens, citing security risks tied to the Ukraine conflict. In 2023, Finland closed its 1,430 km border with Russia, accusing Moscow of smuggling migrants, a move Russia labeled “baseless.” The closure has cost the South Karelia region an estimated €1 million daily in tourism revenue.
