Finland closes border with Russia to prepare for military conflict — war correspondent

Finland closes border with Russia to prepare for military conflict — war correspondent Claims that Russia is waging some kind of hybrid war against Finland using Middle Eastern migrants are absolute nonsense, Kosti Heiskanen saidMOSCOW, August 22. /TASS/. The closure of the border with Russia is part of Finland's preparations for a potential military conflict, while allegations of a hybrid war are a fabrication by Western handlers of the Finnish media, Finnish military correspondent Kosti Heiskanen told TASS. "Claims that Russia is waging some kind of hybrid war against Finland using Middle Eastern migrants are absolute nonsense," Heiskanen said. "Finland is an EU member, and the bloc advocates for providing humanitarian aid to these migrants crossing the border. I believe the border was closed to build bunkers, military fortifications, and prepare for a potential military conflict." According to him, "no one who understands the situation — neither journalists nor political observers — can confirm that migrants are waging a 'hybrid war.' It's a lie concocted by Western handlers of the Finnish media, which are controlled by globalists." The war correspondent noted that regular Finns are tired of the propaganda, but the public "is still buying it." "Closing the border is a deranged act by President Alexander Stubb. He has ruined the infrastructure and driven the entire Finnish economy into a recession, because it is impossible to imagine Finland without Russia," Heiskanen emphasized. According to the war correspondent, "Finns can't stand the nonsense fed to them by the Finnish media, but the 'people,' as they say, 'eat it up.'" "Closing the border is a deranged act by President Alexander Stubb. He has destroyed the infrastructure and driven the entire Finnish economy into recession, because it's impossible to imagine Finland without Russia," the war correspondent emphasized. According to the Finnish broadcaster Yle, the country's authorities have nearly completed the construction of fences along the border with Russia. However, Yle notes that Finland will not be able to build barriers along the entire border due to a lack of funding, as the country spends approximately 1.8 million euros per kilometer. The total length of the fences is expected to exceed 200 kilometers, with the project costing around 362 million euros. The total border between the two nations is over 1,300 kilometers long. Plans to build the fence were first announced in June 2022. At the time, the Finnish Ministry of the Interior stated that the government planned to install barriers along the Russian border to counter "hybrid threats." Finland joined NATO in April 2023. TagsFinlandUkraine will lose war due to Zelensky’s "wild illusions" — former spokespersonYulia Mendel believes that "the front will be moving in Russian favour against the backdrop of a collapsing economy, democracy, and political crisis"Read moreRussia-China relations seeing best period in their history — Chinese ambassadorAccording to Zhang Hanhui, Russian-Chinese relations are characterized by a steady deepening of political mutual trustRead moreSlavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka turned into ‘ghost cities’ by Ukrainian army — expertAndrey Marochko said that Ukrainian militants are using abandoned civilian facilities for military purposesRead moreNational debt worth $50 trillion threatens US as early as 2029 — expertIlya Grashchenkov also said the $50 trillion mark itself is not a threshold beyond which the US economy would automatically collapseRead moreNew mobilization rules forcing Ukrainians into servitude, driving them to front — diplomatMaria Zakharova stressed that Ukrainian leaders offered no explanation to ordinary people about how they are supposed to surviveRead moreRussian forces hit Ukrainian naval patrol boat in port of ChernomorskThroughout the day, the Russian Armed Forces continued to strike ports and ships being used in the interests of the Ukrainian militaryRead moreMFA raises concern over illegal actions of foreign law enforcement agencies in RussiaAccording to Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the amendments were needed to prevent unfriendly countries from interfering in Russia's internal affairsRead morePress review: US, Iran opt for war of attrition as Kiev diverts focus with Russia attacksTop stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 17thRead morePress review: US tightens Iran pressure while Russia expands nuclear power projects abroadTop stories from the Russian press on Friday, August 21stRead moreRussia open to dialogue with US, refuses to sacrifice its principled positions — diplomatRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed the importance whether "Washington can influence the decisions of the Kiev regime and its European sponsors"Read moreDiplomat calls West’s silence on Kiev’s nuclear terrorism 'strange'The Zaporozhye NPP has been without an external power supply for over a day due to the shutdown of the last 330 kV high-voltage power supply lineRead moreFederal Statistics Service raises its estimate for Russian GDP dynamics in 2021-2022According to the Statistics Service, the decline in GDP in 2022 relative to 2021 is due to a decrease in the foreign trade balance under sanctions pressureRead moreBelarus moves to close its embassy in Finland early next monthThe decision comes into effect, starting from September 1, 2026Read moreEuropean gas price tops $800 for first time since MarchThe previous high was recorded on March 19, when the price of gas exceeded $850 per 1,000 cubic metersRead moreEight detained for attempting to launch drone attack on strategic plant near Moscow — FSBOne of the accomplices put up armed resistance during the arrest and was neutralizedRead moreUS wants its economy to grow faster than state debt — VanceUS Vice President JD Vance did not disclose details of the planRead moreSinner withdraws from US OpenThe Italian withdrew from the Masters 1000 tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati ahead of the US Open because of a right knee injuryRead moreWhat to know about new '103 for 103' POW exchange between Russia, UkraineThe Russian servicemen are currently in BelarusRead moreBering Strait tunnel project requires massive infrastructure development — senator"The implementation of the ambitious Bering Strait tunnel concept will be, without exaggeration, a major technological milestone of the 21st century," Elena Perminova said Read moreDeaths of ‘Iranian leaders’ hindering deal with US — TrumpThe US leader emphasized that Washington was successfully achieving its goals in the conflict with IranRead moreRussian diplomat points to increasing terror against Serbians in KosovoMaria Zakharova described the developments as all the more outrageous because local self-government bodies in Pristina that claim the status of legitimate authorities are implicated in this terrorRead morePress review: EU struggles on Russia sanctions while Moscow trade surplus growsTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 14thRead moreRussian Emergencies Ministry firefighting plane suppresses major wildfires in SerbiaThe crew’s efforts have proved highly effectiveRead moreRussian troops evacuating residents from KonstantinovkaWounded Russian servicemen are also being evacuatedRead moreMore than 2,500 people die from Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo — authoritiesThe outbreak, which began in the DRC and Uganda on May 15, has already become the second-deadliest in the history of Ebola outbreaks in AfricaRead moreUkraine will lose war due to Zelensky’s "wild illusions" — former spokespersonYulia Mendel believes that "the front will be moving in Russian favour against the backdrop of a collapsing economy, democracy, and political crisis"Read moreNo need for new constitutional amendments now — presidential envoyGarry Minkh ecalled that the 2020 amendments were aimed at protecting Russian national interests and strengthening sovereigntyRead moreRussian strike brings Ukrainian industrial site in Brovary near Kiev offline — top brassThe facility was struck by Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade VaryagRead moreUS, Brazilian presidents call for soonest settlement of conflict in UkraineAccording to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's press service, the Brazilian president also drew attention of his US counterpart to the need for discussing a reform of the United Nations and its Security CouncilRead moreIN BRIEF: What we know about Russia’s massive attack targeting defense-tech sites in KievRussian forces struck a Fire Point plant, a Kiev-based assembly site owned by the Antonov aircraft manufacturing factory and an arsenal with M-900 thermobaric bombs and munitions for Baba-Yaga dronesRead moreToo early to discuss reduction in threat of merchant ship seizures — KremlinDmitry Peskov commented on whether the Kremlin has observed a decline in threats to maritime tradeRead morePoland plans to deploy missiles with range of over 1,000 km in its east — defense ministryAt the same time, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Poland had already constructed 150 km of fortifications under the "East Shield" program and plans to add another 50 km by the end of this yearRead moreFACTBOX: Putin’s statements on positive economic growth, impact of Ukrainian attacksBoosting investment activity is the primary condition for economic growth in Russia, the head of state saidRead moreWitkoff, Kushner do not confirm visit to Kiev — agencyThe two Americans had reportedly intended to visit Kiev for Ukraine's Independence DayRead moreNord Stream situation brings losses to Berlin, dangerous dizziness to Warsaw — spokeswomanMaria Zakharova commented on Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s remarks justifying the terrorist attack against the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelinesRead moreCroatian court rules to place in custody Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream sabotageGermany is seeking his extraditionRead moreFyodorov launches all-out war against Zelensky, his entourage — publicationDespite these aggressive efforts, the publication indicated that the former Ukrainian defense minister can expect resistance from his opponentsRead morePress review: Iran war strains US global reach as Washington revives Gaza settlement talksTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, August 18thRead moreIEA chief compares situation surrounding Strait of Hormuz to broken vaseFatih Birol said the volume of transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which stood at around 25 mln barrels per day prior to February 2026, had fallen to roughly 15 mlnRead moreOver 80% of Russia’s missile units rearmed with Iskander tactical systemsIskander tactical ballistic missile systems are capable of hitting both small-size and large-area targets at a distance of up to 500 kmRead moreRussian troops liberate 11 communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brassRussian troops delivered one massive and nine combined strikes by precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, logistics centers and cruise missile launch sites over the weekRead moreRussia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesmanAccording to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold Read moreRussian military to take note of Blinken’s remarks on Ukrainian counteroffensive — KremlinIt was reported earlier that the US Secretary of State said Ukraine could start a counteroffensive in the next few weeksRead moreMusk agrees that state debt of $50 trillion will be critical for USEarlier this week, the US state debt exceeded record $40 trillionRead moreCongress of Industrialists, BRICS Innovation Center sign cooperation agreementAccording to experts, the opening of an ICIE representative office at the BRICS Innovation Center in Xiamen in 2027 will mark a significant step in the development of Russian-Chinese economic cooperationRead moreRussia develops first combat robot that disarms mines with laserThe system is completely safe for bomb disposal expertsRead moreIN BRIEF: Novak’s directives on supplying Russian fuel market and refineries’ repairsTASS has compiled the key takeaways from the meeting chaired by the Russian deputy prime ministerRead moreUS allies unsure of Washington’s ability to defend them if necessary — newspaperThe newaspaper noted that military operation against Iran had depleted US arsenals and "laid bare the limits of American hard power"Read moreNew meeting of Coalition of Willing to take place on Monday — Elysee PalaceThe previous meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing was held in Paris on July 13Read moreTwo die after Ukraine’s attack on minibus in DPRFour more people were woundedRead moreAttempts to cut Russia off from world permanent tactic of Western policy — adviserAnton Kobyakov noted that Russia had never closed itself off from the world throughout its historyRead moreWarsaw moving closer to control of Kiev’s Soviet-era gas transit system — spokeswomanMaria Zakharova emphasized that Warsaw is benefiting from re-exporting US liquefied natural gas to UkraineRead moreTen African countries step up border controls due to Ebola in Democratic Republic of CongoThe six-month program includes plans to assess border service readiness, conduct drills, and develop response plans in the event that cases are detectedRead moreRussia has no need for mobilization — envoy to UNVasily Nebenzya emphasized that mobilization is not planned and expectedRead moreKosovo 'authorities' prepared to repress Serbs at first opportunity — MFAMaria Zakharova stressed that the decision to scale back the presence of KFOR units at vulnerable points of Serb-Albanian contact was cynical and irresponsibleRead moreSeveral injured in attack at school in Sweden — TVPolice and emergency services were called to the sceneRead moreHouthis attack Tihama again during rescue operationOne member of the rescue team was injuredRead moreUkrainian Abrams tank hit by Russian Upyr FPV drone in Avdeyevka areaIt was the third Abrams tank to be struck near AvdeyevkaRead moreTurkey’s NATO membership does not protect its servicemen in Syria — Israeli expertShay Gal pointed out that on August 18, Israel "allegedly struck Syria's Abu al-Duhur air base before Turkish forces arrived"Read moreAbout ten countries eager to buy Russian S-400 missile systems, says defense officialDmitry Shugayev noted that the procedure of signing a contract is a multi-stage and complex processRead moreUkraine faces extremely negative situation on agricultural marketExperts noted that the difference between 2022 and the current situation lies in pricesRead moreExperts forecast gold prices rising to $5,000 amid inflation, central banks’ demandThe ongoing conflict between the US and Iran is driving up oil prices, which is a significant pro-inflationary factorRead moreIranian parliament speaker calls for refusing from US dollars in tradeMohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stressed that the use of US dollars in trade as an outdated method of paymentsRead moreKiev plots smaller drone attacks amid failure to target Moscow with long-range UAVs — FSBThe Russian Federal Security Service stated that fraudulent call centers controlled by Kiev present their operators as employees of Russia’s Central Bank, Rosfinmonitoring, and the FSBRead moreIran’s Navy to continue defending country's interests in Strait of Hormuz — commanderRear Admiral Shahram Irani said the Navy has a strong presence in the straitsRead moreIN BRIEF: Russian MFA statements on FAZ reporter’s provocation, UN criticismThe Foreign Ministry calls on the citizens living abroad to be vigilant and not to give in to provocations ahead of the State Duma electionsRead moreIN BRIEF: Kremlin on Putin’s work schedule, Polish PM’s justification of terrorist attacksRussian President Vladimir Putin is to hold an in-person operational meeting of the Russian Security CouncilRead morePerm industrial facility comes under attack: 325 drones target Russian regionsOn-duty air defense systems intercepted Ukrainian UAVs over 16 Russian regionsRead morePolish prime minister defends Nord Stream sabotage — TVDonald Tusk opined that those who built the pipeline should be held accountable, not those who destroyed itRead moreRussian stock market ends week with main indices upThe yuan exchange rate against the ruble added 1 kopeck to 12.33 rublesRead moreIran to look at lifting restrictions on Iraqi tankers in Hormuz StraitIraqi parliament speaker Haibat al-Halbousi asked the Iranian authorities to grant Iraq a "special status" regarding oil exports via the Strait of HormuzRead moreKazatomprom agrees on uranium supplies to Russia, ChinaAn agreement on uranium supply has been reached with the Russian company Uranium One Group, part of the Rosatom management structureRead moreUkrainian troops shot at Kharkov Region residents attempting to evacuate — administrationAccording to Yevgeny Lisnyak, people had to drink rainwater and eat what they had stockpiled before the front line closed in until Russian soldiers arrivedRead moreCIA has ‘no alibi’ over Nord Stream 2 — PutinWhen asked who blew up the pipelines during interview with Tucker Carlson, the Russian leader replied with a laughter: ‘You for sure’Read moreIsrael strikes suspected radicals in security zone in southern LebanonAccording to the statement, several suspects crossed the Security Zone in the Baraashit area, entered a structure, and posed a threat to IDF soldiersRead moreCuba to withstand US pressure — Fidel Castro’s grandsonFidel Antonio Castro Smirnov said that Cuba’s experience has demonstrated the importance of "international solidarity, diversification of ties, and the ability of countries to support each other"Read moreVon der Leyen pushing EU toward war with Russia — Finnish politicianArmando Mema said the European Commission president tends to baselessly accuse Russia of violating the airspace of European countriesRead moreRomania records highest fuel price increase in EU over past yearThe average fuel price increase across the European Union was 16.9%Read moreKiev should beg Moscow for peace to save Ukraine — former Zelensky spokespersonYulia Mendel said this is now a matter of the country’s "survival"Read moreRussian diplomat warns about catastrophic consequences of Ukraine’s attacks on ZNPPBoth the ZNPP’s territory and its satellite city of Energodar regularly come under Ukraine’s attacksRead moreTop Iranian diplomat compares threat of US sanctions to movie already seen many timesAbbas Araghchi stated that all of these threats "failed"Read moreIran was not the one to trigger escalation in Middle East — Russia’s UN envoyVasily Nebenzya said that the US should be the one to blame for the latest escalation in Middle EastRead moreImplementation of US peace plan for Gaza de-facto stalled — Russia’s UN envoyVasily Nebenzya stated that the ceasefire was still being consistently violated, first of all by the Israeli sideRead moreGerman politician warns against further escalating Ukrainian conflictSahra Wagenknecht noted that German technologies and German money are used to attack MoscowRead moreThree civilians killed in Ukrainian drone attacks on DPR during dayAccording to the DPR’s head Denis Pushilin, two residential houses and six civilian infrastructure facilities were damagedRead morePress review: Ukraine crisis nears peak as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over SyriaTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 20thRead moreZaporozhye NPP has sufficient safety margin amid Ukraine’s attacks — Russian diplomatRodion Miroshnik said it does not mean Russia should ease the pressure on the Ukrainian side and its sponsorsRead moreNetanyahu’s office slams Turkey’s int’l arrest warrant for him as intimidation attemptThe prime minister’s office also reiterated Israel’s previous accusations against Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him "an antisemitic dictator who has massacred Kurds"Read moreKiev forces shell populated areas of Donetsk People's Republic 40 times over past 24 hoursTwo residential buildings, six civilian infrastructure facilities, special equipment and trucks, as well as cars and a passenger minibus, were damagedRead moreTrump says the US, Mexico beginning work on a new trade dealThe US leader also announced that the US had "largely" reached agreements with Canada on trade issuesRead moreIsrael could cease to exist after the Middle East conflict — senior Russian officerApty Alaudinov says Israel’s objective is to drag both the US and the entire NATO bloc into the struggleRead morePress review: Ukraine conflict fuels EU ultra-right as Trump seeks Iran pressure via OmanTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 19thRead moreRussia waits for appropriate int’l reactions to disruption of IAEA chief’s visit to ZNPPRussian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik said that Kiev is openly embarking on a path of undermining the system of radiation and nuclear safetyRead moreRussia conducting 'surgical operation' in Ukraine to avoid harming civilians — TASS chiefAndrey Kondrashov said the Russian forces avoid causing completely unjustified civilian casualtiesRead moreUS-brokered Lebanese-Israeli talks to be held in Rome in early September — TVA US Department of State official told Al Jazeera that the sides are facing political restrictions and internal pressure, while Washington is trying to settle the issuesRead moreOve 300 filling station damaged in Ukraine — energy ministerReports of damaged gas stations are coming in from various regions of Ukraine almost dailyRead morePowerful blast occurs in weapons depot in Libya’s Misrata — mediaMeasures are being taken to ensure security in the areaRead moreCarolyn Rodrigues-Birkett leads voting for UN secretary general post, poll showsEight Security Council members backed Rodrigues-Birkett’s continued participation, three opposed it and four expressed no opinionRead more