Contents tagged with Finland

  • Finland accuses Russia of GPS failures during NATO exercises

    The Finnish Foreign Ministry said that they agree with the conclusions of the Norwegian military that the interference in the GPS navigation system during the NATO exercises was caused by Russia. Nevertheless,  in a statement published on its website, the Ministry said that it believed it was  inappropriate to disclose details of this case to the public, it was stated  .

    As noted by the ministry representative, the authorities continue to investigate the incident and are currently discussing …

  • Norway: Russia jammed GPS signal during NATO exercises

    The Norwegian Ministry of Defense claims that Russia, operating from the Kola Peninsula, interfered with the work of the satellite navigation systems (GPS), which were used by air traffic, during the NATO Trident juncture military exercises.

    The Aftenposten newspaper reported that the Norwegian Ministry of Defense sent a statement to the Norwegian Telegraph Bureau (NTB) accusing Russia of causing GPS failures.

    “We are monitoring the situation along with other departments concerned. It is …

  • Finnish Prime Minister: Russia might be responsible for GPS failures during NATO exercises

    During an interview with Yle news agency, the Prime Minister of Finland Juha Sipilä stated that he believes that the failures of the GPS navigation system that occurred during the NATO Trident Juncture military exercises can be attributed to Russia.

    “In technical terms, it is relatively easy to disrupt radio signals, and it is possible that Russia is behind this,” said Sipilä, adding that Russia has the means to do it. “This is a message to all countries participating in the military exercises, …

  • Military from 13 countries to take part in Finland's naval exercises

    The Northern Coasts Naval exercises will be held in the territorial waters of Finland. Yle news agency reports that thousands of military personnel and dozens of ships from 13 countries will be involved.

    The exercises will last for two weeks. About 3600 military will take part in the exercises. The military will practice  the joint international operation of naval forces during these exercises.

    “We started planning these exercises a year ago and informed Russia about our plans. Russia did not …

  • Recent Putin and Trump meeting costs Finland €1.7 million more than expected

    The expenses for a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump increased from €4 million to €5.7 million, following amendments to the country's budget for 2018, according to an update posted to the Finnish government’s website.

    The expenses include the remuneration of police, border guard, defense forces and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The message did not specify what allocations each department received or whether they were increased.

    In July 2018, …

  • Russian tycoon Rotenberg files lawsuit against Scandinavian banks for failure to provide service because of sanctions

    Representatives of the Swedish banks Svenska Handelsbanken and Nordea, the Danish bank Danske Bank and their Finnish divisions have confirmed to the Finnish broadcasting corporation Yle that Russian businessman Boris Rotenberg filed lawsuits against them and accused them of violating their obligations.

    In early October, Rotenberg filed lawsuits against these banks and the Finnish OP Corporate Bank with the Helsinki District Court. The businessman alleged that the banks violated service …

  • Media: Russia might be preparing for military operation in Finland

    Russian authorities might be preparing for a military operation on the Turku archipelago in Finland, writes Iltalehti news, citing a military expert. According to the source, there are bunkers on the archipelago where Russia could store weapons and ammunition. This territory will have strategic meaning for Moscow in the event of conflict with NATO. 

    The expert believes that in the event of war in the Baltic Sea, Russia would have to block shipping and aviation to prevent supplies from reaching …

  • Russian arrested in Finland on money laundering charges

    A Russian citizen was detained in Finland on a money laundering charges, RBC news agency reports, citing Natalia Vezhlivtseva, the press attaché of the Russian Embassy.

    "The Consular Department of the Russian Embassy in Finland has been duly notified by the Finnish police of the detention of a Russian citizen, whose identity is not disclosed in the interests of the investigation,” she said.

    The press attaché said that the Russian Embassy in Finland remains in touch with the police. She added …

  • Finland conducts police sting operation against suspected Russian-backed money launderer

    On Saturday, Finnish authorities began a large-scale police operation that included a search and seizure of property of a Finnish-registered company believed to be involved in money laundering. Yle news agency reported that over a hundred representatives of law enforcement agencies were involved in the special operation in the Turku archipelago and in the Varsinais Suomi (region of southwest Finland).

    During the operation, police searched ten locations, the homes and offices of the company’s …

  • Finnish president: Finland not ready to join NATO yet because of Russia's position

    At this stage, Finland does not consider the prospect of joining the North Atlantic alliance, President Sauli Niinisto said in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. According to him, Moscow "made it clear" that if Finland joins NATO, it will "see it as an enemy."

    "The Russians made it clear that when they look at us across the border, they see Finnish people." If we join NATO, they will see us as enemies. That is their position, "explained Niinisto. He added that joining the …