Patrolling the border with Russia is first of all extremely cold. The -30C temperatures in the Pasvik Valley grab your bones and don’t let go.
There is no fence – just a river dividing Russia and NATO in a highly militarized region. There are regular occurrences of people illegally crossing the border, both ways. One of the most famous cases in recent times is that of the Wagner defector, Andrei Medvedev, who crossed into Norway in winter 2023 to claim asylum.
People like Medvedev who cross the border knock on the doors of local residents. I spoke to Norwegians who live right at the border about their concerns.
Despite the vast remoteness of this border, you can be fairly certain there are eyes watching you.
