Finland begins construction of meter-high fence on border with Russia

No other European country shares such a long land border with Russia as Finland. The two neighboring countries share a border of 1340 kilometers.

Yesterday, the day the Finnish parliament moved closer to joining NATO, Finland started building the new fence. It must prevent Russians from fleeing illegally to Finland, for example to escape mobilization. The border with Russia has been closed to Russian tourists since September 30.

Now only wooden fences

Yesterday the first trees were removed from where the fence is to be placed, reports the Finnish border guard to the BBC. Night vision cameras will also be installed along parts of the fence, along with lights and speakers.

At present, a large part of the border between the two countries has only a wooden fence which is mainly intended to stop animals.

The Finnish government already decided last autumn to have the fence built. “We have to prepare for all kinds of disruptions,” Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said at the time. The first part of the fence – which will be about 3 kilometers long – should be finished in June. It will be built near Imatra. , south of Finland.

NATO membership

Construction of the fence began yesterday as Finland’s parliament met to debate NATO membership. It is a formality, because a majority of the Finnish government has already indicated that it wishes to join NATO. NATO boss Jens Stoltenberg was in Helsinki for consultations with Marin.

Finland, like Sweden, decided last year after Russia invaded Ukraine to join NATO. It’s not that far yet.

Turkey and Hungary, which are not yet cooperating, must first give their permission. All NATO members must agree before a new member state can join the alliance. Talks with Turkey will resume next week. Turkish President Erdogan has made demands that Finland and Sweden cannot meet.