Finland has completed the second phase of its border fence along its eastern frontier with Russia. This newly finished 18-kilometer stretch in the north-central Kainuu region comprises eight segments and follows an initial 35-kilometer section. The fence project, approved by Finland’s parliament in 2022, aims to cover approximately 200 kilometers of the 1,300-kilometer border.
Construction on the fence began in 2023. Each segment incorporates a steel mesh barrier, a dedicated service road, a cleared buffer zone, and a technical surveillance system. The Kainuu section boasts significant technological enhancements over the initial pilot segment constructed near Imatra. These upgrades include an AI-powered surveillance system designed to differentiate between humans and animals, minimizing false alarms. Additionally, a loudspeaker system allows for remote communication with individuals near the fence.
All land-based border crossings between Finland and Russia have been closed since December 2023. In November 2022, the government proposed EUR 139 million in funding for the fence’s critical target areas, a proposal that garnered widespread parliamentary support in October 2022.