Finland unveiled a plan on Friday to build a 200-kilometer fence along its border with Russia. “In this situation, we have every reason to reconsider our measures,” Brigadier General Jari Tolppanen (56) of the Finnish Border Guard told AFP news agency. While the border with Russia “worked well” in the past, the war in Ukraine “fundamentally” changed the security situation, Tolppanen said.
According to the border guard, about 200 kilometers of the 1,300 kilometer long border must be provided with a fence for 380 million euros. The fence would be more than three meters high and equipped with barbed wire. Particularly sensitive areas should be equipped with night vision cameras, headlights and loudspeakers, project manager Ismo Kurki said at a press conference. Completion is expected in 2026.
The end of the light wooden fences
Until now, Finland’s borders have mainly been secured by light wooden fences, the main purpose of which is to prevent cattle from moving in the wrong direction.
Finland fears that Moscow could use migrants to exert political pressure on Helsinki. That is why the NATO candidate approved legislative changes in July to build stronger fences. The laws also allow Finland to close its borders and detain asylum seekers in certain locations. (AFP)