Several waterworks in Finland have been subjected to burglaries during the summer.
Now the police are investigating whether the events are linked and the questions are many.
– Russia has talked about poisoning water as a way of trying to paralyze a society, says Hanna Smith, Russia expert and researcher in security policy.
During the summer, there have been several burglaries in Finnish waterworks, reports say Howl. The Central Criminal Police is now investigating whether the burglaries are linked.
And although it is not the first time that someone has tried to break into a waterworks, the reports have increased.
“However, the police have received slightly more reports about cases involving water infrastructure compared to previous months. It is difficult to know whether all burglaries and trespasses have been reported to the police before,” writes police inspector Jonne Lähteenmäki in a comment to EPN.
Police: Good to be on your guard
But Jonne Lähteenmäki does not think that the Finns need feel any concern.
“Finns do not need to worry, but it is good to be on your guard in all matters concerning security.”
According to Lähteenmäki, the Finnish authorities have increased surveillance over important infrastructure and if the threat could come from Russia, he writes like this:
“Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has significantly changed the security situation.”
“Wouldn’t be surprising if Russia is behind it”
Hanna Smith is a Russia expert and researcher in security policy. According to her, the burglaries may be connected to Russia, because there were so many in such a short time.
– It wouldn’t be entirely surprising if it eventually turns out that Russia is behind this, says Smith i Swedish Yles News Podcast.
And it is the water supply that Russia has previously described as a possible target, she believes.
– I was part of a research project several years ago where we discovered that Russia has indeed talked about poisoning water as a way of trying to paralyze a society, says Hanna Smith.