A dramatic incident shook the Finnish-Russian border when law enforcement detained a military mercenary named Evgeny in the Välivaara area. The man, recognized as a former fighter from the private military formation "Wagner", was found after activating border sensors in a densely forested area without a physical barrier.
According to an investigation by the public television Yle, the detainee was immediately taken out and placed in a temporary center, immediately requesting international protection. Documentary evidence of his past includes multiple social media posts that visually confirm his participation in military actions against Ukraine.
His personal materials unambiguously show the distinctive Wagner emblem on his combat equipment. In a series of interviews with Russian media channels, Evgeny openly shares details about his military training and specific operations around Bakhmut, identifying himself as a volunteer.
Particularly indicative is his media profile after the autumn of 2024, when he publicly disappears from the communication space. A critical moment occurs in February 2025, when he spreads a video with sharp criticism of Russian state structures, exposing manipulations towards servicemen and their families.
The case provokes serious international interest in the fate of mercenaries leaving conflict zones and seeking asylum.