The Southeast Finland Border Guard on Thursday said it had detained 18 people who were found crossing through the forest on foot, north of the Imatra border station.
The group included men, women and children. Preliminary information suggests that they were from the Middle East, according to a statement by the Southeast Finland border guard.
Border officials said officers intercepted the group due to intensified surveillance in the area.
Finland's eastern border is closed until 11 February. The government shut the entire eastern frontier in December in response to the increasing number of asylum seekers arriving at Finnish border crossing points. Authorities in Finland suspect the migrants were being funneled to the border by Russia, as part of a hybrid operation.
1,300 irregular crossings
The last time the Southeastern border guard detained individuals suspected of attempting to enter the country illegally was just under two weeks ago, on 11 January. At that time, 11 Iranians crossed the border in the area between Nuijamaa and Joutseno.
The group applied for asylum in Finland following their detainment.
Since last August some 1,300 asylum seekers have arrived in Finland via the eastern border, according to Finnish authorities.
