According to the Finnish Security Police, Russia’s interest is to influence Western countries, and Finland is not immune to these acts of damage.
European intelligence services warn that Russia is planning sabotage attacks, reports on Sunday The Financial Times business magazine.
According to the Finnish Protection Police (supo), FT’s coverage is not a new phenomenon.
– We warned a couple of months ago in connection with the publication of our yearbook that we should be prepared for even more aggressive and hostile influence from Russia. This is about the same thing, said the deputy manager of supo Teemu Turunen for STT on Sunday.
According to Turunen, Russia’s interest is to influence Western countries, and Finland is not immune to these acts of damage, even though it is not at the top of Russia’s priority list.
– Russia has a special interest in supporting Ukraine. Finland is not Russia’s most important interest, but it is the unity of the West in supporting Ukraine, says Turunen.
As targets of possible attacks, Russia is interested in the structures and logistics related to supporting Ukraine, Supo’s deputy head estimates.
“There is no going back”
Supo said earlier this year in connection with the publication of his yearbook 2023 that the biggest threat to Finland’s national security is still Russia.
– Finland and other Western countries are (in Russia) categorized as unfriendly or hostile states, and the selection of means in Russia then includes various acts of damage and intimidation, says Turunen.
Russia’s range of means includes, among other things, the use of various petty criminals or hooligans in causing damage and creating deterrence, says Turunen. According to Turunen, Finland has also had to adapt to the new era.
– There is no going back to the previous situation, so that is how we will have to adapt to this new time. We need to be prepared, but that doesn’t mean we need to be afraid.