NewsFinnish fears as Russian oligarchs' property purchases linked to espionage

Finnish fears as Russian oligarchs' property purchases linked to espionage

Vladimir Putin and the President of Finland Sauli Niinisto, June 2013

Images source: © Getty Images | Sasha Mordovets

18 April 2024 20:22

Jukka Kopra, the head of the parliamentary national defense committee, warned on Thursday that homes and flats purchased by Russian oligarchs in Finland may be used for espionage purposes. A few years ago, one of these properties reportedly welcomed Vladimir Putin.

Kopra highlighted that Russians have been acquiring various properties in Finland over the years, potentially threatening the country's security. This concern aligns with warnings from the Finnish Counterintelligence Service, SUPO. His comments came in response to an in-depth report unveiled by the "Ilta-Sanomat" newspaper on Thursday. The publication explored the topic of Russian summer cottages near Finland's largest lake, Saimaa, allegedly visited by Putin himself "for fishing" a few years ago.

According to Kopra, any foreign property owned by a Russian could swiftly become an asset for Russian security services, serving the interests of Putin's administration. "Regardless of the ownership or the owner's good intentions, a simple phone call or letter from the security bodies is sufficient to repurpose the facility for state use," he stressed.

Kopra also noted that before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russians had been systematically purchasing and leasing apartments, houses, and other facilities. "Those who stayed on the properties were prepared when the military attack commenced," he added.

Who bought the plot by the lake

In the summer of 2017, Vladimir Putin officially visited the Saimaa lake district, including Savonlinna and a holiday resort, upon the invitation of then-President Sauli Niinistö to celebrate Finland's 100th anniversary of independence.

According to "Ilta-Sanomat," citing a resident, black limousines bearing diplomatic license plates were spotted at the summer cottages during his visit. Reportedly, a Russian boat arrived one day, carrying a man resembling Putin flanked by two bodyguards.

The newspaper also reported that in 2009, near Lake Saimaa's shores, roughly 30 km from Savonlinna, Viktor Hmarin, a judge and friend of Putin since their law school days and judo training, purchased a plot. He went on to build a summer cottage and a luxurious log villa there. "I was shocked by whom I sold the plot to," the former owner confessed 15 years later.