Finland has started construction of a new 200-kilometer fence on part of its border with Russia. This has been reported by the border guard. The Scandinavian country decided to do so after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A three-kilometre pilot project is being launched near the town of Imatra, in southeastern Finland. An additional 70 kilometers will be added between 2023 and 2025. In total, 200 of the 1,300-kilometer-long border with Russia should be protected in this way.
The fence will be made of metal, will be three meters high and will be fitted with barbed wire. Night vision cameras, lights and loudspeakers will be installed in the most sensitive areas. The price tag is estimated at 380 million euros. The works should be completed in 2026.
Influx
Finland experienced an influx of Russian citizens in September last year. It came after President Vladimir Putin announced that some 300,000 reservists would be called up to fight in Ukraine.
Helsinki then significantly restricted access to its territory for Russian citizens. Estonia, Latvia and Poland have also strengthened security on their borders with Russia or are planning to do so.
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