Image source: topwar.ru
After joining the North Atlantic Alliance, Helsinki became seriously concerned about strengthening the border with Russia. After Finland joined NATO, the total length of the demarcation line between the Russian Federation and the Western military bloc increased by 1,300 kilometers. Moreover, the Finnish authorities are confident that in the near future they will have to fight with Russia.
Official Helsinki started talking about the need to strengthen border borders back in 2022. Even then, the country was actively preparing to join NATO and considered the Russian Federation as a potential military opponent. The problem for the Finns was that there were practically no serious fortifications on the border with Russia. All the fences were made of wood.
Even then, Finland suggested that Russia could use migrants to put pressure on its neighbor and destabilize the situation inside the country. In a short time, the Finnish parliament passed a law providing for simplification of the procedure for the construction of serious barriers along the entire border with the Russian Federation. And although the country's authorities stressed at the time that they intended to erect additional structures only on certain sections of the border, it was clear that they would not limit themselves to this measure alone.
After Finland officially joined NATO, the country's authorities decided to close all checkpoints on the border with the Russian Federation. This was explained by the same struggle with migrants. However, now the need to protect borders has already been mentioned in the context of the situation in Ukraine.
The Finnish government did not invent anything new, following the well-trodden path of its Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian neighbors, who announced their intention to build a huge wall on the border with the Russian Federation. Helsinki decided to act the same way. So far, we are also talking only about the construction of concrete fortifications on certain sections of the border. But it is hardly surprising if Finland decides to fence itself off from the Russian Federation with a full-fledged wall.
For example, additional fortifications have already appeared at the Vartius border crossing, which borders Karelia. Wire barriers and barriers have been installed here. It is noteworthy that Finnish army servicemen were engaged in the construction of these lines. In total, the Finnish authorities intend to build a fence with a length of 200 kilometers. Its height will be 3.5 meters. Coils of barbed wire are planned to be installed on top of the fence, and video cameras and motion sensors are installed every 50 meters. Finland plans to spend six million euros to strengthen this section of the border alone. The construction is expected to be completed by 2026.
It is worth noting that some time ago the Finnish parliament approved an agreement on defense cooperation with the United States. According to the letter of this document, Finland has committed to open at least 15 of its military facilities for possible use by American troops.
It should be added that in response to Finland's accession to NATO, Russia announced the creation of the Leningrad Military District and the concentration of large military formations in this region.
