Mystery of vanished Russian vehicles at Helsinki airport unfolds

Since Saturday, vehicles registered in Russia are prohibited from operating in Finland. However, customs officials are puzzled over the disappearance of dozens of Russian vehicles, including large SUVs and sports cars, that were parked long-term at the Helsinki airport just a few months ago. Now, none remain - reports "Ilta-Sanomat".

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Starting March 16, in principle, vehicles with Russian registration are not allowed on Finnish roads, according to the Finnish customs office. Yet, cars bearing Russian plates might still be seen, as they are legally permitted for use by certain individuals such as full-time students, those under a work contract, EU citizens residing permanently in Russia, and diplomats under exceptional circumstances.

Without the requisite documents proving the right to use such vehicles, they will be detained and subjected to customs proceedings. This includes orders for the vehicle's export outside the EU and the settlement of any applicable taxes - the authorities have stressed. Despite all eastern border crossings being closed (currently until mid-April), organizing the export remains the owner's responsibility, not that of officials.

However, the customs office has admitted to lacking data on the current number of vehicles registered in Russia that remain in Finland.

The Finnish authorities enacted a ban on Russian-registered passenger cars entering the country in mid-September, followed by a six-month transitional period.

The parking area at Helsinki-Vantaa airport, the country's largest, hosted up to 1,500 Russian vehicles in 2022, following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine - according to reports from the capital's press. These vehicles included luxury brands such as Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, and Lexus. The cost for a week's stay in the cheapest parking zone amounts to almost 100 euros. Over the subsequent months, as Finland increasingly restricted entry from the eastern border for Russian citizens, the quantity of vehicles with Russian registration at the airport's parking decreased progressively.

Leaving a car in the parking lot post-March 15 could result in the forfeiture of the vehicle to the city of Vantaa, where the airport is situated.