Finland Extends Border Fence With Russia

Finland has completed the construction of a 200-kilometer fence along its eastern border with Russia, aimed at preventing Moscow from using migrants as a tool of hybrid warfare. The fence, which includes sections of barbed wire and technical monitoring systems, was unveiled near the Nuijamaa border crossing in southern Finland. This follows a broader effort by Helsinki to strengthen its border security amid heightened tensions with Russia. The project, costing 356 million euros, covers selected parts of Finland’s 1,340-kilometer land border with Russia, the longest such frontier among EU and NATO members. Construction began in August 2024, focusing on areas deemed most vulnerable. The fence features patrol roads, surveillance cameras, and night lighting, with sections reaching heights of nearly 4.5 meters. It is designed to deter unauthorized crossings and enhance monitoring capabilities. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen stated that the fence is essential for maintaining national security and controlling potential threats. “Every state must take care of its own security and the inviolability of its borders,” she emphasized. She noted that while the current situation has been relatively calm, the risk of sudden escalation remains. “It can change really rapidly, and that is why we need to be very prepared,” she added. The decision to reinforce the border came after Finland closed all land crossings with Russia in December 2023, citing concerns over the influx of over 1,300 undocumented migrants. Helsinki accused Moscow of exploiting migration as a form of hybrid warfare to destabilize the country, a claim the Kremlin has denied. The closure followed Finland’s decision to join NATO in April 2023, marking the end of its longstanding policy of military neutrality. The Finnish government has proposed extending the Border Security Act through December 2028, allowing authorities to restrict entry based on “serious incidents of instrumentalized migration.” The law does not alter existing provisions but reinforces existing powers to repel individuals perceived as posing a security risk. “No changes are proposed to the law itself,” explained Sari Arho Havrén, an expert at the Royal United Services Institute, noting that the legislation already provides broad authority for border controls. The fence is part of a wider trend of increased border security measures across the region. Similar barriers have been constructed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland along their borders with Belarus. These efforts reflect growing concerns over the use of migration as a geopolitical tool, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The project involved collaboration with approximately 1,000 landowners and numerous companies. According to Border Guard project manager Erkki Matilainen, drone technology has advanced significantly, yet the fence remains “seen as the best solution for crowd control.” Annual maintenance costs are estimated at between 2 and 3 million euros. All land border crossings between Finland and Russia remain closed indefinitely, pending further developments. The government has indicated that these measures would not be maintained if there were no continued concern about Russia repeating similar actions. “I believe none of these measures would remain in place if there weren’t concern that Russia would repeat them,” Havrén remarked. Meanwhile, Finland continues to bolster its military readiness as a NATO member. Defense firm Patria recently delivered its first F-35 fighter jet engine, and the country has ordered 64 F-35A jets from Lockheed Martin, with deliveries scheduled for later this year. These upgrades underscore Helsinki’s commitment to enhancing its defense posture in response to evolving security challenges.