Kathrine Frich
Finland is investing heavily in this security upgrade.
Finland is investing heavily in this security upgrade.
Finland Extends Its Border Wall With Russia
Finland is reinforcing its eastern frontier with a new 5-meter-tall metal barrier designed to halt any future “weaponization of migration” by Moscow.
The wall now covers additional stretches of the 1,340-km border shared with Russia.
A Direct Response to Hybrid Threats
The move comes after nearly 1,000 undocumented migrants crossed into Finland from Russia in late 2023, a move Helsinki called a deliberate act by Moscow to destabilize the country. Russia denies any involvement.
200 Kilometres of New Barrier Planned
This latest phase will see 200 km of new fencing installed, starting with 18 km near the Vartius border post.
The fence, painted green and topped with barbed wire, has already transformed the once-serene forest landscape.
Construction Moves North
In May, the first 35-km section was completed in southeastern Finland.
Now the project is expanding northward to Kuhmo in the Kainuu district, about 600 km from Helsinki—where seven high-risk “target zones” will be fenced off.
A €380 Million Security Project
Finland is investing heavily in this security upgrade.
The full border barrier will cost an estimated €380 million and is expected to be completed by 2026.
Officials describe the project as both necessary and highly effective.
Surveillance to Strengthen Security
The wall won’t stand alone. It will be reinforced with surveillance tech, motion sensors, cameras, and monitoring stations, to catch any unauthorized crossings in real time.
Calm, But Not Complacent
Officials report that the border situation is now calm and “fully under control.”
But they stress that the security landscape has changed, requiring new tools like this reinforced barrier to protect national sovereignty.
The NATO Factor
Finland’s border with Russia is now also NATO’s newest and longest land frontier with Moscow.
As tensions simmer across Europe, this physical barrier doubles as a symbolic one for the alliance.
Nature Cleared for Security
In some areas, dense forest has been cleared to make way for the barrier.
While the natural environment has been disrupted, officials insist it’s a necessary step to ensure border security in volatile times.
Locals Adjust to a New Reality
Residents living near the Finnish-Russian border have watched their quiet surroundings transform into a high-security zone.
For many, it’s a stark reminder of the shifting geopolitical climate just beyond their doorstep.
