Finnish-Russian border barrier to rise higher, denser by 2026
The barrier on the Finnish-Russian border will be higher and denser than originally planned. According to the Finnish border guard, it will ultimately be 12 feet high, not 10 feet high. These decisions were made based on conclusions drawn from the pilot project and observations of the situation at the border with Russia.
The services decided to modify the project of building the barrier on the border with Russia after experiences gathered during the pilot, during which about 2 miles of fence were erected.
The test section, a 2-mile stretch of metal barrier topped with barbed wire, was completed in the autumn of last year. It is located in southeastern Finland near the border crossing in Imatra.
Overall, in the coming years, it is planned to secure about 124 miles, i.e., 15% of the over 809-mile-long Finnish-Russian border, mainly in sections near the most popular communication routes.
The new barrier on the border with Russia is to be completed by 2026
In marshy areas, it was decided to change the method of constructing the pontoon crossing. The monitoring system is still being further developed, added the border guards in the communiqué.
As informed by the project head, Erkki Matilainen from the border guard department, the construction of the actual fence has already started in South Karelia near the border crossing in Nuijamaa.
Meanwhile, in other parts of southeastern Finland and in Kainuu, over 31 miles of trees have been removed. "Work is progressing according to schedule," assured Matilainen, as quoted by PAP. The undertaking is to be completed by 2026
The Finnish Ministry of Defence is preparing changes to the law. there will be a ban on selling real estate to Russians
Furthermore, the Finnish Ministry of Defence wants to introduce a complete ban on selling real estate to Russian citizens. The ministry explains this step as an attempt to prevent the destabilisation of Finland. The ministry argues that properties could be used in crisis situations, threatening the country's security.
Finland must ensure that there are no weak points in society that could be exploited by hostile forces, argued Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen at a press conference in Helsinki.
Under the new law, the authorities will have the power to refuse to issue a permit for the purchase of real estate to individuals and legal entities from countries deemed a threat to the integrity, sovereignty, and independence of other countries.
