Finland Completes 200km Border Fence with Russia, Extends Security Act Amid Hybrid Attacks
Finland has completed a 200-kilometer security fence along its border with Russia, a project initiated after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted Finland to join NATO in April 2023. The 4.5-meter-high barrier, equipped with cameras and sensors, covers sections of Finland's 1,340-kilometer frontier, primarily in the southeast. This development comes as Helsinki proposes extending its Border Security Act until the end of 2028, allowing the country to restrict asylum applications in limited border areas under exceptional circumstances where national security is threatened. The legislation has drawn controversy, with legal experts raising concerns about potential breaches of international human rights obligations and EU law. Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen emphasized the need for preparedness, stating that the situation, though currently calm, could change rapidly. The fence cost €356 million, with annual maintenance estimated at €2-3 million, and is considered crucial for surveilla... 
