Finland’s Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen used the Munich Security Conference this weekend to sound the alarm over what he called a “Cold-War-style” reinforcement of Russian forces just across the 1 340-kilometre frontier. In an interview with Euronews on 16 February he said satellite imagery shows new barracks, helicopter pads and logistics hubs being built on the Kola Peninsula and near the Karelia border zone. (euronews.com)
The minister emphasised that the military build-up coincides with Moscow’s alleged ‘instrumentalisation’ of migrants, which prompted Helsinki to close all eight land-border crossings in December 2023. Although the closures were due to expire in mid-February, Häkkänen hinted they will “almost certainly” be extended until security conditions normalise. That means no asylum applications or commercial coach services can operate via Russia, forcing business travellers, freight companies and cross-border commuters to rely on air and sea routes.
![Finland warns of Russian military build-up along border, signals continued travel restrictions]()
For companies managing assignees in St Petersburg or Murmansk, the message is clear: overland mobility will remain effectively impossible. Logistics teams face higher costs as cargo must be rerouted through Helsinki-Vantaa Airport or Finnish Baltic ports. Employers should also prepare for intensified screening of Russian and Belarusian passport-holders applying for Finnish Schengen visas or residence permits.
The defence chief urged EU partners to speed up deployment of the Schengen biometric Entry/Exit System and to fund the remaining 165 km of Finland’s planned 200-km border fence. “Arctic security is European security,” he said, adding that the government will invest part of a new €1 billion EU defence loan in unmanned border-surveillance drones.
Practical takeaway: expect the eastern land border to stay shut through at least spring, maintain extra lead-time for freight into Finland, and brief travellers that Helsinki-Vantaa remains the only reliable gateway for trips originating in Russia.
The minister emphasised that the military build-up coincides with Moscow’s alleged ‘instrumentalisation’ of migrants, which prompted Helsinki to close all eight land-border crossings in December 2023. Although the closures were due to expire in mid-February, Häkkänen hinted they will “almost certainly” be extended until security conditions normalise. That means no asylum applications or commercial coach services can operate via Russia, forcing business travellers, freight companies and cross-border commuters to rely on air and sea routes.
For companies managing assignees in St Petersburg or Murmansk, the message is clear: overland mobility will remain effectively impossible. Logistics teams face higher costs as cargo must be rerouted through Helsinki-Vantaa Airport or Finnish Baltic ports. Employers should also prepare for intensified screening of Russian and Belarusian passport-holders applying for Finnish Schengen visas or residence permits.
The defence chief urged EU partners to speed up deployment of the Schengen biometric Entry/Exit System and to fund the remaining 165 km of Finland’s planned 200-km border fence. “Arctic security is European security,” he said, adding that the government will invest part of a new €1 billion EU defence loan in unmanned border-surveillance drones.
Practical takeaway: expect the eastern land border to stay shut through at least spring, maintain extra lead-time for freight into Finland, and brief travellers that Helsinki-Vantaa remains the only reliable gateway for trips originating in Russia.
Source: Euronews
