A Russian family faces deportation from Finland after repeated denials of asylum. Nikita and Olga Belov fled Russia in 2022, but Finnish authorities have rejected their applications. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.

Nikita, 25, worked as an engineer at a research institute in Moscow specializing in metallurgical technologies. He left his job after discovering his work was connected to Russia's war effort. According to him, his boss lied, saying the project was not linked to the war, and when he tried to leave the project, he was threatened with arrest or being sent to the frontline.

Olga, 55, worked as a nurse anesthetist. She said the military called asking about her son, and police visited their house. The family concluded they had no choice but to leave Russia. "Now we realize if we come back we will be arrested immediately and go to jail and be tortured," Nikita said.

In Finland, they volunteered at a local Ukraine center and contributed to humanitarian support, including first aid, food, clothes, Starlink equipment, and a 3D printer. They received a video thank-you message from Ukrainian soldiers.

In 2022, they applied for asylum in Finland but were refused. This year, they applied again, were refused, and received a deportation order. In April, they were detained pending deportation, but after a court intervention, they were released. They are now awaiting a court decision that could result in deportation within weeks.

Finland's immigration service said they face "no real risk" if they return to Russia. However, their lawyer, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the Belovs are very likely to be at risk if deported. Nikita's previous work, which involved access to confidential government information, also increases the risk.

According to Finnish immigration statistics, between February 2022 and June 2026, 1,039 Russians were deported — the highest of any nationality. During the same period, 1,109 of 1,342 Russians were refused entry to Finland in connection with a negative asylum application.

Finland joined NATO in 2023, and Russia has expanded military bases on the border. Finland has indefinitely closed its entire border, accusing Moscow of directing asylum seekers in a "hybrid operation."

The Belov case is one of many where Russians are denied asylum in Finland, and legal experts say their future risk and human rights have not been sufficiently assessed.

Bill Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, called the case "a defining test of Europe's commitment to protecting those who have risked everything to oppose Putin's war."

Nikita said they have suffered from mental health issues and panic attacks while awaiting the court decision. "There were all bad things in our minds. It was like the start of torture because it was a totally traumatic experience," he said. "At the time we really tried to prepare for our death."