Finnish Deputy Antti Hakkanen made it known that Finland is exposed to incursions from or resolutely hybrid threats strategies incorporating arms, along with passive-aggressive spying in the borderline areas of the Nordic Region. Moreover, he told AFP, that it is Finland’s reputation that matters most, hence, no apology for no drones, or sorry for drone surveillance. This occurs in the context of increased unofficial military maneuvers involving unmanned aerial vehicles in close proximity to Finnish borders, as well as in other Northern European countries, such as Norway and Denmark, which have led to the temporary closure of airports.
Finland is preparing for Russia’s unconventional methods of creating instability along the border
Hakkanen has noted that Russia has engaged in various other hybrid forms of influence. Now part of NATO, Finland has been bolstering military readiness along its 1,340km border.
These actions are being done especially in view of Finland’s participation in Eastern Sentry with NATO, and the EU’s proposed drone wall. Hakkanen stated:
“We are working with NATO and the EU to protect the border of Finland against drones.”
These comments aimed at the Finnish public will be received as the EU tackles the growing problem of hybrid warfare. This includes the borderline use of soft and hard power, such as disinformation and cyberattacks, alongside classical military tactics, and in this case, the use of drones.
As part of defense and security integration efforts, Hakkanen stated:
“We are in contact with NATO’s Eastern Sentry as well as the EU’s drone wall initiative and are assessing how Finland’s part of cross-border NATO-Russia and EU-Russia borders will be drone-defended.”
Preliminary investigation indicates that the activity has been run in Russia
Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson, who met with Hakkanen in Helsinki, shared the same sentiment, characterizing the state of regional security as “serious” and noting the increasing “political and military rashness” on the part of Russia. Finnish authorities’ concern is justified. There are ongoing investigations in Finland that are legally problematic and involve the suspected illegal export of military-grade materials and strategically advanced military drones to Russia by two Finnish companies. According to Finnish customs, nearly 3,500 military drones and other advanced military anti-drone technologies, including microcontrollers, were hidden under various export declarations to Russia and exported under sanctions via the third country, Kazakhstan.
The case is to be presented to the prosecutors later this year, and it will most likely include several regulatory offences as well as breach of the Defence Material Control Law and illegal export of military goods. Finland has decided to increase its resolve on the smuggling controls and border surveillance. In December 2023, the country closed its border with Eastern Russia, mainly due to the increase in alleged undocumented migrants. Helsinki claimed this to be an example of hybrid pressure from Moscow.
Hakkanen still believes that the country remains rational and disciplined
The drones are intended to cause confusion, fear, and social unrest, according to Hakkanen. He also states that they are taking a very calm approach. This highlights Finland’s approach to destabilizing modern threats.
Unidentified drones began appearing in Norway and Denmark on September 22, including in proximity to military sites. This caused the region to issue heightened security and close a number of airports. Europe is facing hybrid warfare and the first civilian and military use of drones, compared to Finland, which is also proactive and ready to defend its country. Along with NATO joint work with the EU, Finland sees itself not just as a frontline state for the first counter-hybrid warfare EU and NATO joint work, but also as a leader for unconventional non-hybrid warfare countermeasures.