Train to Finland only way out for many Russians

Increasing numbers of Russians are making their way to the European Union using one of the last remaining travel links. The Allegro, a joint venture between VR, Finland's state-owned railway company, and its Russian counterpart RZD, runs two daily services between St. Petersburg and Helsinki, a 3.5-hour journey by high-speed train.

Demand for tickets had increased over the past week with trains fully booked over the weekend through Monday. Due to the pandemic and border restrictions, only holders of Finnish and Russian passports are allowed to travel on the train. Official said VR was in talks with Russian authorities to allow third-country nationals to board the train, too. This would give European Union nationals an easier route to exit Russia.