Finland Completes Border Fence With Russia Amid Hybrid Warfare Concerns

Finland has completed the construction of approximately 124 miles of fencing along its eastern border with Russia, a move driven by concerns over Russian hybrid warfare tactics, according to a Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs official. Petri Hakkarainen, political director for the ministry, told Fox News Digital that these tactics have aimed to disrupt European nations by instrumentalizing migrants.

“We have in the past witnessed Russia's attempts… to instrumentalize migrants at the Finnish border,” Hakkarainen said. “Basically pushing migrants towards our borders, forcing us then to take them on.” He explained that a large influx of asylum seekers could destabilize Finnish society.

In response to these perceived threats, Finland closed its entire land border with Russia in 2023. Moscow officially condemned the closure, labeling it "Russophobic." The newly completed fence serves as a secondary security measure to deter unauthorized border crossings.

Finland shares an 833-mile border with Russia, the longest border of any European Union or NATO member state. The construction of the fence began after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, an event that prompted Finland to join NATO in April 2023.

Upon Finland's accession to NATO, the country experienced an immediate surge in border activity, with over 1,300 migrants arriving at its eastern border without visas. Finland accused Moscow of engaging in "hybrid warfare" by weaponizing migration, a charge that Russia has denied.

The closure of border checkpoints has been described as "very effective" by Hakkarainen. In addition to physical barriers, Finland enacted a Border Security Act. This legislation permits border authorities to limit asylum applications and turn back migrants if a foreign actor attempts to destabilize the country by channeling individuals across the border.

While the Border Security Act generated some debate regarding potential human rights and international law implications, Hakkarainen stressed that national security and sovereignty were prioritized. "We take these concerns very seriously," he stated. "But national security and our own sovereignty... weighed more heavily in this conversation, though there is broad majority support for the act."

Hakkarainen emphasized Finland's commitment to security, noting, "We take our security and preparedness very seriously." He added that these measures enable Finns to lead normal lives despite their proximity to Russia.