Finland has recorded suspicious activity near military garrisons and exercises held with NATO allies that could be linked to Russian intelligence gathering or preparations for sabotage, according to the head of Finnish military intelligence.
Major General Pekka Turunen, intelligence chief at the Finnish Defence Command, told Iltalehti that the observations have been classified by the Finnish Defence Forces as intelligence activity rather than direct preparations for attacks.
“Possible targets could include the Defence Forces and the defence industry,” Turunen said.
He stressed that there may also be other explanations for some of the activity. Finland has not recorded any serious confirmed acts of sabotage, and most incidents investigated as possible sabotage have ultimately proved to be something else.
However, Turunen said attacks of the kind seen elsewhere in Europe cannot be ruled out in Finland.
“As a phenomenon, sabotage has been more visible in the Baltic states, Poland and Central Europe than in the Nordic countries, which have so far largely avoided it. Looking at what has happened in the Baltics and Poland, similar sabotage activity in Finland cannot be excluded,” he said.
Support for Ukraine seen as potential target
Finland’s Security and Intelligence Service, Supo, recently assessed that the threat of Russian sabotage in Finland has increased in recent months.
Both Supo and military intelligence assess that Finland’s defence industry could be particularly exposed because of its role in supporting Ukraine.
Turunen said targets seen in the Baltic states, Poland and Central Europe have so far often been linked to assistance for Ukraine.
“Possible targets in Finland could be similar, meaning they would be connected to the war in Ukraine and the support provided to Ukraine,” he said.
The Finnish Defence Forces have urged domestic defence companies to prepare for possible sabotage by improving security awareness and strengthening protective measures.
“This is something worth preparing for as well,” Turunen said.
Russia expected to continue hybrid activity in Baltic Sea
Finnish military intelligence also expects Russia to continue hybrid activity in the Baltic Sea region.
According to Turunen, Russia retains a significant ability to use vessels operating in the Baltic as part of broader influence operations.
“Russia is likely to continue its efforts to damage underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea,” he said.
Finnish military intelligence has previously assessed that Russia has been behind various incidents involving damaged cables in the Baltic Sea, although Moscow has not been conclusively identified as having ordered a specific attack.
That assessment differs from Supo’s position, according to Iltalehti. The security service has said the cable incidents cannot be classified as Russian sabotage on the available evidence.
Turunen was also asked about suspected break-ins at the homes of several Finnish MPs. Parliament disclosed the incidents in early October, and Iltalehti has reported that there are more than 20 suspected cases.
Helsinki police are investigating them as attempted aggravated theft, with assistance from Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation. Supo has also been involved.
Without commenting on the individual cases, Turunen said such methods are part of Russia’s known toolkit.
“On a general level, it can be said that this type of activity is part of Russia’s range of methods. Decision-makers have always been, and will continue to be, targets of influence operations,” he said.
No current military threat to Finland
The warnings come as several European intelligence officials and military experts have raised concerns over possible Russian actions against NATO countries.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that US intelligence agencies concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered an escalation of sabotage and covert operations against NATO countries. European officials cited by the newspaper linked the campaign to an attempted drone attack at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport in August.
Turunen did not speculate on whether Russia could carry out a military operation against a NATO country, saying only that the Finnish Defence Forces continuously monitor and assess developments in Russia.
“There is currently no military threat against Finland. Phenomena seen in neighbouring regions, such as sabotage, are being prevented by every available means,” Turunen said.