Russian spying on Finland has intensified, with defence companies, critical infrastructure and computer networks becoming key areas of interest, according to senior officials from the Finnish military and domestic intelligence service.
Speaking on Yle’s A-studio programme on 5 October, Pekka Turunen, head of intelligence at the Finnish Defence Forces’ General Headquarters, and Juha Martelius, director of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Suojelupoliisi, or Supo), described similar assessments of Russia’s intelligence operations.
Both officials warned that information gathering could also be used to prepare acts of sabotage, particularly against infrastructure and companies connected to the defence industry.
Russian intelligence operations raise sabotage concerns
According to Turunen, suspicious activity has been observed near Finnish military garrisons and locations hosting NATO exercises. At the same time, Russian intelligence gathering is increasingly taking place through digital networks.
“The intelligence methods used against us are evident in cyberspace. Online intelligence gathering is very active,” Turunen told Yle.
He explained that collecting information about facilities, infrastructure and critical systems could also constitute preparation for future sabotage operations.
Such reconnaissance does not necessarily indicate an imminent attack, but it can provide information needed to identify vulnerabilities and plan potential disruptions.
Martelius confirmed that Supo shares the military’s assessment. He also warned that Russian sabotage activities elsewhere in Europe have increasingly focused on the defence industry.
Small Finnish technology companies are particularly vulnerable
One of the main concerns involves small technology startups connected to the Finnish defence industry.
According to Martelius, these companies often lack the resources needed to establish comprehensive security systems, making them potentially more vulnerable to foreign intelligence operations.
Supo has already confirmed increased intelligence activity targeting at least one small Finnish technology company, although the authorities have not publicly identified the business or provided details about the methods used.
Both officials acknowledged that awareness of security risks among Finnish companies has increased since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
However, the growing importance of smaller technology suppliers in the defence sector presents additional challenges, particularly when sensitive innovations and specialised components are involved.
A growing concern across northern Europe
The Finnish warnings come amid wider concerns about Russian sabotage and intelligence operations across Europe.
On 7 October, Danish intelligence officials reported that Russia had attempted acts of sabotage against Danish companies supplying Ukraine.
Denmark’s Security and Intelligence Service (Politiets Efterretningstjeneste, or PET) has also warned of an increased risk of physical sabotage, particularly as Moscow seeks to disrupt European support for Ukraine. Russia has denied the Danish allegations.
For Finland, which joined NATO in April 2023, the developments underline the importance of protecting military facilities, digital infrastructure and defence supply chains against threats that do not involve conventional military confrontation.
Despite the intensified intelligence activity, neither Turunen nor Martelius considers a direct military attack against Finland likely in the immediate future.
Turunen explained that Russian ground forces and naval infantry remain heavily committed to the war in Ukraine, making a large-scale military operation against Finland unlikely for now.
Martelius similarly urged the Finnish public to remain calm, emphasising the country’s ability to manage the security challenges it faces.
