Finland commissions experimental section on border with Russia

Finland has commissioned a trial section of the fence on the border with Russia near the village of Imatra.

Most of the work has been completed, and border guards from the South-East Finland Border Guard Service are on duty in the fence’s area, according to the Yle TV and radio station.

The channel notes that the builders still have a few minor works to do, but the main elements of the fence, including the barrier, the adjacent roadway and the surveillance systems, are ready.

"Now we are gaining experience in using the fence," project manager Ismo Kurki told the TV channel.

According to him, the fence was completed back in mid-August, but its commissioning was delayed due to finishing works.

In June 2022, the Finnish Interior Ministry announced government plans to install fences "in critical areas on the eastern border [with Russia]" to prepare the country to deal with "threats of a hybrid nature", including the use of "the migration issue to exert political pressure".

Finland began building a "trial section" of a three-kilometre fence on its border with Russia near the Imatra border crossing in February. The fence will be equipped with technical control systems.