NATO member Finland breaks ground on Russia border fence

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By KOSTYA MANENKOV and SERGEI GRITS today

IMATRA, Finland (AP) — The construction of barbed-wired fence along Finland’s long border with Russia - primarily meant to curb illegal migration - has broken ground near the southeastern town of Imatra less than two weeks after the Nordic country joined NATO as the 31st member of the military alliance.

The Finnish Border Guard on Friday showcased the building of the initial three kilometer (1.8 mile) stretch of the fence to be erected in Pelkola near a crossing point off Imatra, a quiet lakeside town of some 25,000 people.

Finland’s 1,340 kilometer (832 mile) border with Russia is the longest of any European Union member.

Construction of the border fence is an initiative by the border guard that was approved by Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s government amid wide political support last year. The main purpose of the three-meter (10-foot) high steel fence with a barbed-wire extension on top is to prevent illegal immigration from Russia and give reaction time to authorities, Finnish border officials say.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/finland-russia-nato-border-fence-illegal-migration-d89ca5f0105f604a0a8fd3523d8a7b00

[cilla4progress]

1. "Build the wall."

🙄

[Deep State Witch]

2. And Make Russia Pay For It!

[not fooled]

3. Except this one will function as intended

and is unlikely to be used as a talking point to rile up a bunch of racist dimwits.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

5. Our southern border proves walls don't work.

Migrants will find a way.

[Brother Buzz]

6. They will. The fence will only slow Russians down initially, giving the Finns time to respond

I imagine the fence has a lot of bells and whistles built into it. Think tripwire.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

7. The primarily reason is meant to curb illegal migration.

Walls won't stop desperate people from migrating.

[Kennah]

8. This one carries a "cross here and die" warning, and the Russians know the Finns are serious