Finland started construction a metal fence in the most vulnerable parts of the border with Russia, A measure approved last October to curb illegal immigration and a possible mass influx of refugees.
Work has begun felling trees and clearing a three-kilometer strip in the border municipality of Imatra in southeastern Finland, where a test section will be built at a cost of around six million euros.
In this section, which is located at one of the busiest border gates due to its proximity to St. Petersburg, A road and a three meter high metal fence with accordions and video security cameras will be built.
If the pilot project is successful, work will continue with the construction of several more sections. a total extension of about 200 kilometers, representing about 15% The 1,340 kilometer border separating Finland and Russia.
Work is expected to continue three to four years and a payment of “several hundred million euros”, according to the estimates of the border guards.
Approved by the Sanna Marin Government
“The fence alone will not solve anything, but it will be part of the Border Guard’s global border surveillance.” said this state agency in a statement.
The construction of the border fence, originally proposed by the Border Guard, It was empowered by the centre-left government led by Prime Minister Sanna Marin and supported by all parliamentary groups.
“It’s about making sure the border is well protected and being able to predict what might happen at the border.” Then the prime minister announced.
This project is an answer Tensions with Moscow increased as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO.
After a few months of bidding, the work started, coincidentally.Entry of Finland into the Atlantic Alliance by the Eduskunta (Finnish Parliament).
Finland has the longest border with Russia in the entire European Union (EU) and the second border in Europe after Ukraine.