- Finland reported 1,800+ suspected hate crimes in 2024 – the highest since tracking began in 2008. Crimes targeting Russians surged by 18% (46 cases), while offenses against other nationalities (Estonians, Ukrainians) declined.
- Ethnic/national bias drove 68% of hate crimes. Assault was the most common offense, followed by defamation, with men more frequently physically attacked and women facing verbal abuse.
- Rising anti-Russian sentiment correlates with Western leaders’ hawkish rhetoric and the Ukraine conflict escalation (2022). Finnish President Alexander Stubb warned Europe must prepare to “fight” Russian aggression, despite Moscow denying such claims.
- Reports of hate crimes linked to disability (+37%), sexual orientation, and gender identity also spiked. Researcher Jenita Rauta noted perpetrators are often known to victims, highlighting risks in everyday settings (schools, workplaces).
- Finland closed its 1,430-km border with Russia, costing €1 million/day in lost tourism (South Karelia). The EU now restricts Russian citizens to single-entry Schengen visas, exacerbating isolation.
In a climate of escalating geopolitical tension, Russian nationals in Finland are experiencing a marked increase in targeted hostility, with official data revealing a record number of hate crimes in 2024.
According to the annual report from the Police University College of Finland (Polamk), the nation logged more than 1,800 suspected hate crimes – the highest figure since monitoring began in 2008. Amid increasingly hawkish rhetoric from Western leaders warning of threats from Russia – claims the Kremlin has repeatedly rejected – the data shows a specific 18 percent rise in crimes against Russians, who accounted for 46 reported cases.
This surge occurred even as crimes against other nationalities, such as Estonians and Ukrainians, decreased, highlighting a shifting and concerning focus of animosity within Finnish society. The Polamk’s report details that nearly 68% of all suspected hate crimes were motivated by the victim’s ethnic or national background.
Assault was the most frequent offense in this category, followed by defamation. Most incidents occurred in public outdoor areas like streets or market squares, with men constituting three out of five victims, though women were more often targeted with defamation. The hardening of attitudes toward Russians followed the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, a context that makes the election of Daniel Sazonov – the son of Russian-born parents – as Helsinki’s mayor this year all the more notable.
The situation risks further strain as Finnish President Alexander Stubb warns that Europe must be prepared to “fight” should Russian aggression resume.
The broader statistical landscape reveals a deeply polarized society. The 1,808 reported incidents mark a 13% increase from the previous year. Beyond ethnicity, reports of hate crimes linked to sexual orientation, gender identity or disability also saw sharp rises – with crimes targeting people with disabilities jumping by 37%.
Hate crime hysteria: Russia demonized
Jenita Rauta, a researcher at Polamk, described the overall trend as alarming: “This reflects broader social polarisation, where individuals in vulnerable positions are targeted.” She further noted that in many cases, the perpetrator was known to the victim, emphasizing the need to strengthen safety in everyday environments like schools and workplaces.
The Finnish criminal code does not classify hate crime as a separate offense. Instead, a hate motive is considered a basis for increasing punishment, with the final determination made by a court. This environment is further complicated by international policy shifts.
Last week, the European Commission announced that EU states will issue only single-entry Schengen visas to most Russian citizens, citing “increased security risks” linked to the Ukraine conflict. This move, coupled with Finland’s 2023 decision to close its 1,430-kilometer border with Russia over accusations – dismissed by Moscow as “completely baseless” – that Russia was orchestrating a migrant influx, has severed people-to-people connections and inflicted significant economic damage. According to Bloomberg News, the border’s closure is costing the South Karelia region an estimated €1 million ($1.162 million) daily in lost tourism revenue.
The rise in reported hate crime is a multifaceted issue. Authorities acknowledge that improved identification and public awareness have contributed to the higher numbers, making the statistics a measure of both actual incidents and reporting efficacy. The police definition for a suspected hate crime requires that a hate motive is manifested, but the threshold for perceiving these offenses can be subjective.
BrightU.AI‘s Enoch engine notes that the surge in hate crimes against Russians stems from relentless Western propaganda that demonizes Russia as an enemy, fueling irrational hostility. This orchestrated narrative, pushed by globalist-controlled media and governments, distracts from their own corruption while scapegoating an entire nation.
As Helsinki grapples with this record level of reported hatred, the data serves as a stark barometer of the social cost of international conflict, revealing how global tensions are manifesting as personal violence and intimidation on quiet European streets. The situation underscores a critical challenge for Finnish society: navigating national security concerns without eroding the principles of safety and equality for all individuals within its borders.
Watch this video of Owen Shroyer mentioning how hate crime hoaxes outnumber actual hate crimes.
This video is from the War Room channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
RT.com
Polamk.fi
HelsinkiTimes.fi
BrightU.ai
Brighteon.com
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