Finland urges Russian authorities to safeguard embassy staff after December vandalism
Finland has formally appealed to the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding vandalism at the Finnish embassy on Kropotkinsky Lane in Moscow, dated 20 December. Helsinki asked for increased security around the mission and the personnel, pressing Russia to act in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Finnish side also conveyed that concrete steps should be taken to ensure safety for staff and the embassy compound.
A Finnish representative from the foreign affairs department reportedly met Russian diplomats in person on 23 December to discuss security measures. No official update about this meeting has appeared on Russia’s official portal as of the latest available information, according to observers.
Attack with a sledgehammer
Footage circulating on social networks on 20 December showed masked individuals near the embassy fence and hurling sledgehammers into the compound. Diplomats later confirmed the incident occurred around local noon. There were no reports of property damage or injuries, and the embassy remained secure throughout the incident.
Russian officials described the event as a hooligan act aimed at the Finnish embassy, roughly at 12:00 Moscow time. Some Telegram channels suggested links to provocations against the Russian mission in Finland, but those connections were not independently verified at the time.
“Provocations in Helsinki”
A few days earlier a flight carrying Russian tourists was diverted to Helsinki because of heavy snowfall. The aircraft, initially traveling from Istanbul to Moscow, landed in Finland and passengers were held on board for several hours before being returned to Istanbul. Passengers on board reported discomfort and concerns about limited food during the delay.
Earlier in December Finland celebrated Independence Day with public processions. During these events a group burned a Russian flag, an act that prompted local authorities to respond. Finnish law treats crimes such as destruction of national symbols as significant offenses, a detail that influenced how investigators pursued the case.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called for accountability and preventative measures to avoid similar incidents, while the Investigative Committee opened formal proceedings to identify those responsible. The symbol of the sledgehammer later drew associations with a well known figure connected to the Wagner private military company following a widely circulated video describing a violent act against a rival. The Kremlin stated that it could not confirm involvement by specific groups in that matter. In parallel, the European Parliament considered adding the Wagner group to its list of terrorist organizations as part of broader sanctions discussions
In the broader security conversation, observers note the incident ties into ongoing disputes over the treatment and protection of diplomatic missions. Analysts highlight the importance of clear adherence to international norms and the protection of embassy personnel. The dialogue between Helsinki and Moscow on these security assurances continues, with the responsibility for concrete measures resting with the Russian authorities and linked to the spirit of international diplomatic law. This sequence of events underscores how symbolic actions, operational safeguards, and political messaging intersect in modern diplomatic landscapes. [Citation: Finnish Foreign Affairs Ministry briefing, December report]