The Finnish intelligence agency announced that it has managed to “significantly undermine” the activity of the Russian agency in the country. SUPO’s intelligence efforts have been successful in “significantly undermining Russian intelligence operations in Finland throughout 2022” through the expulsion of Russian intelligence personnel, including those under diplomatic cover, and restrictions on issuing visas to Russian citizens.
In the introduction to the report, the head of SUPO, Antti Pelttari, writes that “the threat to Finland from Russia is primarily directed towards civil society”, and that in 2022, Russia paid particular attention to forms of hybrid influence such as cyber threats and information operations. According to Pelttari, intelligence focused on “protecting critical infrastructure necessary for society’s functioning”.
He also noted that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has become a decisive factor in Finland’s decision to join NATO.
On September 29, 2022, the Finnish government decided to close the country to Russian tourists.
On February 28, 2023, Finland began to build barriers along part of its border with Russia to prevent “unwanted crossings.”