Finland Starts Building Costly, Symbolic Fence on Russian Border
At best, the partial fencing will only serve up to 20 percent of Finland's border with Russia, but it will still be a danger for wildlife and a drain on taxpayers. | Finland has started its eastern border fence project, a purely symbolic gesture, ostensibly to "protect" itself from Russia with barbed wire. ● The forest clearance, which has already started, will be followed by road construction and installation of a three-meter fence, followed by the construction of a technical surveillance system. At present, work is underway on a three-kilometer fence stretching from Pelkola near the Imatra border crossing point. It is expected to be completed by the end of June. ● Fence parts designated as key target areas will be built between 2023 and 2025. These include border crossing points with surrounding areas, and other areas considered important. So far, funding has been obtained for a barrier fence of approximately 70 kilometres in south-east Finland, North Karelia, Kainuu and Lapland.