EPN’s Moscow correspondent Erkka Mikkonen left Russia in a conflicting mood – friends become sad, but the overriding feeling is relief

After ‘s Russian correspondent Erkka Mikkonen this morning he opened his eyes, the window showed a quiet and peaceful courtyard under the gray sky of Helsinki.

The change is quite compared to Monday morning, because even then Mikkonen stared at the congested ring road and the walls of the Russian Ministry of the Interior from the window of his Moscow home. The administration building reminded Mikko every day of the kind of state he lived and worked in.

– In a way, if not now a symbol of evil, then at least it symbolizes the arbitrariness of the Russian authorities.

Mikkonen’s three-year correspondent’s end ended on Monday’s Russian Victory Day celebrations.

After a long working day, Mikkonen packed his goods and jumped on a train to St. Petersburg and from there by bus to Finland.

Mikkonen left Russia in a conflicting mood. He has lived in the country for most of his adult life. In addition to his work, Mikkonen has a wide circle of friends in Moscow. The city, its people and culture feel their own.

– Russian hospitality, spontaneity and the way you meet other people is something that has made me fall in love with them. I will miss it.

Despite the budding sadness, Mikkonen’s ultimate feeling is relief at the moment.

– The work of the correspondent is quite heavy when you have to be in the alarm state all the time. If something happens, you have to be ready to report it in front of the camera in half an hour, Mikkonen says.

The work of the correspondent is particularly heavy in a country waging an offensive war against its neighbor.

– However, I had already made the decision to return to Finland last autumn, ie before there was an immediate threat of an attack in the air.

According to Mikkonen, the working space of foreign journalists in Russia is becoming even narrower. In the past, the difficulties were for Russian independent journalists, but now pressure and all sorts of blackmail also apply to foreign journalists.

The bureaucracy associated with work permits, for example, has also tightened.

– All colleagues have fears about how long they can continue to operate. It may be that if you say or write something unwanted, a new work permit will no longer be issued.

Fear of possible criminal consequences also complicates the work of some journalists. A law came into force in Russia in March, according to which Russia believes that disseminating false information, for example about the activities of the Russian army, could lead to years of imprisonment.

– Some of my international colleagues have stopped reporting on matters relating to the Russian armed forces or the events of the war. Some wonder if they dare to use the word “war” at all.

Mikkonen himself decided not to censor himself.

– I’m talking about things by their real names. I decided to take a risk and didn’t start whining.

During his correspondence period, Mikkonen has faced both mental pressure and physical dangers. I am particularly reminded of the opposition leader held just over a year ago Alexei Navalnyin a demonstration of support during which a correspondent reporting on the incidents received a police bump.

– At that time, there was a sad kind of police violence, which at least I had not seen before, Mikkonen says.

Yet he never actually admits he was afraid. Not even recently, when the attitude of the authorities towards suppliers has clearly hardened.

– Of course, no unnecessary risks should be taken, but if you start nervously in advance and go through possible threats, it will not help anything.

Mikkonen is not saying goodbye to Russia, although the correspondent’s work is now over.

– Russia and journalism about Russia is such a big part of my life that I will definitely follow the development of the country for years to come.

However, now is the time to breathe and hand over the baton to the next. ‘s next Russian correspondent is a foreign journalist Heikki Heiskanen. He will take up the post in July if visa and work permit applications pass.

In connection with the correspondent’s work, Mikkonen does not have advice from his experienced colleague, but the most important advice is related to leisure time.

– I would encourage him to look for ways to relax and detach his thoughts between work. Nevertheless, Moscow is a great place to live.

Have you followed Erkka Mikkonen’s work in Russia? You can write comments until May 12 at 11 p.m.