The eastern border barrier was presented at a Border Guard media event at the Vartius border crossing point in Kuhmo on 24 June 2025. Photo: Hannu Huttu / Str / Lehtikuva
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Finland has completed the second section of its eastern border fence with Russia, adding 18 kilometres of barrier infrastructure in the Kainuu region, according to national broadcaster Yle.
The new stretch includes eight segments and follows the completion of a 35-kilometre pilot phase near Imatra in southeastern Finland. Combined, the completed segments now cover over 50 kilometres of the 1,300-kilometre land border.
Finland’s parliament approved the fence project in 2022 amid growing security concerns following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Construction began in 2023. The long-term plan is to build approximately 200 kilometres of fencing, focused on areas deemed most critical by the Finnish Border Guard.
Each segment of the barrier consists of a steel mesh fence, a service road for patrols, a cleared buffer zone, and a technical monitoring system.
The Kainuu section includes updated features such as an artificial intelligence-based surveillance system designed to distinguish between people and animals. This aims to reduce the number of false alarms. A loudspeaker system has also been added to allow remote verbal communication with individuals near the fence.
All land-based border crossings between Finland and Russia have remained closed since December 2023. The government cited national security reasons for the decision, which followed a spike in irregular migration.
Critics have raised concerns about the closure, arguing it risks violating international norms on freedom of movement and family reunification. Some Finnish residents with family in Russia have reported difficulties maintaining cross-border connections.
The Finnish Border Guard has said that further sections of the fence will be completed based on funding availability and evolving security assessments.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
