Russian invasion of Ukraine

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine in breach of the UN Charter and international law. Finland strongly condemns Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and unequivocally supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, autonomy and territorial integrity.

Ukraine is a sovereign state with its own language and culture. Finland supports Ukraine:

Finland supports Ukraine’s views and objectives for a just and lasting peace.
Finland’s unwavering support for Ukraine will continue for as long as necessary.
Finland is supporting Ukraine on its path to reconstruction.

Finland’s foreign policy leadership is closely monitoring Russia’s actions and the security situation in Europe. Finland responds to Russia’s actions as part of the European Union.

The European Union has imposed and gradually expanded sanctions against Russia in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine since March 2014.

The objective of sanctions is, as part of other foreign policy measures, to weaken Russia’s ability to wage its illegal war of aggression in Ukraine and to influence policies or actions that pose a threat to international peace and security.

The sanctions have been coordinated in close cooperation with partners. Sanctions have been imposed on individuals, businesses and various industries.

Personal sanctions involve freezing of assets. Sanctioned individuals are also subject to travel and transit restrictions. Export and import bans have been imposed extensively on the energy, defence, aviation and transport sectors, among others. A number of sanctions have also been imposed on the financial sector.

The European Union is also using sanctions to crack down on Russia’s shadow fleet. The Russian shadow fleet refers to vessels that have begun operating under the flags of non-sanctioned countries due to Russia’s war of aggression. The European Union has placed shadow vessels on the sanctions list to prevent them from circumventing the price cap on Russian crude oil.

The sanction packages also include other measures, such as the ban on Russian flights in EU airspace.

As Russia has used the territory of Belarus for its attacks targeting Ukraine, Belarus is considered complicit in the attacks. For this reason, the sanctions imposed on the Russian financial sector have been extended to also apply to Belarus, meaning that Russia cannot circumvent the sanctions by going through Belarus. Other sanctions have also been previously imposed on Belarus.

Visas to Finland for Russians

In accordance with a government resolution, the entry of Russian citizens will be restricted. This applies to entry with a visa in Finland and transit to Schengen area, where the purpose of the stay is a short tourist’s journey.

Decisions on permitting entry will always be made in connection with border checks.

Effects of sanctions in Finland

The sanctions have a particular impact on Finnish businesses involved in trade with Russia. Before the new sanctions were imposed, there were more than 2,000 Finnish companies engaging in trade with Russia. Indirectly, the sanctions have a wider impact. Many companies are affected by the closure of airspace and sanctions imposed on the financial sector, for example.

Companies are responsible for evaluating the effects of the sanctions on their operations.

Following the launch of Russia’s military attack, Ukraine has requested support and assistance from the EU and NATO Member States. Finland supports Ukraine and its neighbouring countries affected by the war.

Finland supports Ukraine’s views and objectives for a just and lasting peace. Finland’s goal is to support Ukraine in bringing peace in accordance with President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula.

Finland has donated a total of 27 defence materiel packages to Ukraine. Finland has provided protective military equipment and arms assistance to Ukraine. As part of international cooperation on Leopard armoured vehicles, Finland has decided to send Leopard 2 armoured mine clearing vehicles to Ukraine and to provide training related to their use and maintenance. The combined value of all defence materiel packages delivered so far is about EUR 2.5 billion.

Extensive amounts of assistance have been sent to Ukraine and neighbouring countries through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Since the start of Russia's war of aggression, the European Union has provided Ukraine with financial, economic and military support and humanitarian assistance amounting to over EUR 88 billion.

Finland has also granted humanitarian assistance in response to the acute distress and is helping to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience in the midst of the war through development cooperation.

Additional funding has been channelled for humanitarian aid through the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Finnish humanitarian assistance delivered via the ICRC is being used to help Ukrainians in need of food, medicines and medical supplies, for example. Those who have fled their homes are receiving assistance from the UNHCR, which provides emergency accommodation, protective equipment, food and medicines. Finland’s humanitarian assistance is also reaching Ukraine through the core funding granted to UN actors.

Millions of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their country. Some of those fleeing the war in Ukraine have come to Finland. Since 2022, Ukrainians have submitted a total of 79,000 applications for temporary protection in Finland.

There are around 45,000 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection in Finland. Approximately 15,200 Ukrainians are registered in the reception system, and about 30,000 Ukrainians have been allocated a municipality of residence. Others are thought to have returned to Ukraine or moved elsewhere in the EU.

Temporary protection for people fleeing Ukraine

People fleeing the war in Ukraine are entitled to temporary protection in the EU. Granting temporary protection makes it possible to provide protection to a limited group of people through a swift process that is lighter than the asylum procedure. Applications for temporary protection are submitted to the police or border authorities.

Those granted temporary protection have similar rights to those of asylum seekers and they are entitled to reception services. However, people fleeing Ukraine have the right to work and study in Finland without delay or restrictions once they have been granted temporary protection.

Ukrainians do not need to apply for protection immediately upon arrival in the EU, because they can enter the Schengen area with a biometric passport visa-free and move freely within the EU for three months.

Support for studies

Municipalities are encouraged to provide early childhood education and care for all children within the scope of temporary protection. Education for school-age children is provided in the form of pre-primary or basic education, or as preparatory instruction for basic education intended for immigrants, for example. Under the Basic Education Act, pupils have the right to receive education, guidance and sufficient support for learning and school attendance as soon as they need it. Once immigrants have been granted a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection, they may study in Finland without any limitations.

People are free to apply for vocational education and training and general upper secondary education, and those within the scope of temporary protection can also apply on the same terms as Finnish citizens.

Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences will open up new study opportunities to help Ukrainians entering the country. Students will be given opportunities to start or continue their studies, and researchers will be offered the opportunity to continue their research work in Finland.

Finland is not facing an immediate military threat. The Finnish Defence Forces work to ensure Finland’s military security in all situations.

Finland is well prepared for different kinds of crises and incidents. Finland’s comprehensive security model aims to secure the vital functions of society through cooperation between the authorities, the business community, organisations and citizens.

The Government and the authorities are monitoring the current situation and assessing how it will evolve. Finland is not currently facing an immediate military threat.

Cyber security

Developments in the cyber situation in Ukraine are being closely monitored both in Finland and at the EU level. International cyber operators are currently active, and cyber incidents elsewhere may lead to spillover effects in Finland.

In Finland, the National Cyber Security Centre of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency is responsible for producing and maintaining situational awareness concerning cyber security. The Centre works in close cooperation with the police and the Finnish Defence Forces to stop cyber threats. In addition to the authorities, information security professionals in businesses and organisations in Finland work to combat cyber threats.

National Cyber Security CentreLinkki toiselle sivustolle

Radiation

The situation in Ukraine does not affect the radiation situation in Finland, nor can any accident or damage related to radioactive materials or nuclear power plants in Ukraine cause a situation where people in Finland need to be protected from radiation. The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority is monitoring the situation in Ukraine from the perspective of nuclear and radiation safety.

Radiation situation in Ukraine | Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority in FinlandLinkki toiselle sivustolle

Finland’s basic level of security of supply is good, and Finland is well prepared for a wide range of crises and disruptions. Finland is less dependent on energy produced in Russia than many countries in Central and Southern Europe. Domestic raw materials form the basis for Finland’s food supply. Around 80 per cent of our raw materials are produced domestically, which is an adequate level of self-sufficiency in terms of security of supply.

The National Emergency Supply Agency and businesses critical for security of supply monitor the situation regularly and systematically.

Energy supply

Finland’s energy supply is based on decentralised energy production, diverse energy sources and a reliable transmission and distribution system. Renewable forms of energy production have surpassed the use of energy from fossil fuels.

Finland has previously imported oil, gas, coal, wood chips and uranium fuel used in nuclear power plants from Russia. Finding substitutes for Russian energy imports has been difficult during certain peak consumption times. Finland has prepared for these situations with emergency and compulsory stockpiles of oil products, for example.

Russia has cut its supply of gas to several EU Member States altogether. Imports of wood chips, pipeline gas, coal and electricity from Russia have been suspended, and imports of crude oil have been replaced by imports from other countries.

The National Emergency Supply Agency is monitoring the market to ensure the security of gas supply and has prepared for the situation together with operators in the sector.

Private individuals can help by making donations to aid organisations. Organisations have extensive experience of conflict and crisis situations, which means that they have the capacity to ensure free passage of relief to destinations in the very challenging conditions in Ukraine. Check the fundraiser’s background if you donate money. This will ensure that your donation goes to those who need it.

Many private individuals and operators have expressed their intention of bringing to Finland people who have fled Ukraine because of the Russian attack. However, it is important to bear in mind that people fleeing conflict are often in need of other support as well. This is especially important to remember when helping children. Humanitarian organisations and the authorities have long experience in helping children in crises.

Please notify the Finnish Immigration Service if you are bringing Ukrainians to Finland.

It is important to be prepared for incidents and emergencies. Households should be prepared to cope independently for at least three days should an incident occur. You should always have enough food and medicines at home to last at least three days. It is also important to know the basics of preparedness: for example, where can you find reliable information during an incident, and how can you manage in a home where the heating no longer works?

The prolonged uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine is testing people’s ability to cope. It is wise to discuss your thoughts and feelings with family and friends and at your workplace or school. Everyone reacts to crises in their own way. It is important to not show hatred or hostility towards other people, such as Russians living in Finland.

How do I talk about the situation with children?

It is up to adults to create a sense of calm and security for children, even if you are feeling anxious. Children also easily pick up on adults’ emotions. In addition to the home, early childhood education and care providers, schools and educational institutions play a very important role in restoring the sense of security among children and young people.

Tips for discussing the situation with children and young people:

Where can I find someone to talk to?

If you are anxious, depressed or have other symptoms related to stress and anxiety, these services are here to help on a low-threshold basis:

MIELI Mental Health Finland Crisis Helpline, available around the clock at 09 2525 0111
National Sekasin chat (in Finnish)Linkki toiselle sivustolle service for 12–29-year-olds, open 9.00–midnight on weekdays and 15.00–midnight on weekends
Mannerheim League for Child Welfare Child and Youth Helpline, tel. 116 111, open Monday–Friday at 14.00–20.00 and Saturday–Sunday at 17.00–20.00
Mannerheim League for Child Welfare Parents’ Helpline, tel. 0800 92277, open 10.00–13.00 and 17.00–20.00 on Mondays and Tuesdays, 10.00-13.00 on Wednesdays and 14.00–20 on Thursdays
MLL YouthNet (in Finnish and Swedish)Linkki toiselle sivustolle
Solmussa chat service (in Finnish)Linkki toiselle sivustolle for adults, open Monday–Thursday at 15.00–19.00, and other Tukinet services (in Finnish)Linkki toiselle sivustolle

Press releases

EU Member States agree to step up European defence and arms assistance to Ukraine

21.3.2025 0.47 Press release

Finland and Ukraine to intensify cooperation on civil defence shelters

19.3.2025 18.16 Press release

Prime Minister Orpo meets with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Helsinki

19.3.2025 15.31 News item

Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discusses March European Council

19.3.2025 11.33 Press release

Prime Minister Orpo to attend March European Council and Euro Summit

18.3.2025 16.05 Press release

Impacts of the war and Finland’s activities by ministry

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has a wide range of direct and indirect impacts on Finland. Finland is working to help Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

The ministries have put together information about the measures Finland is taking and the effects the invasion is having on the different administrative branches.

Ministry for Foreign AffairsLinkki toiselle sivustolle
Information on sanctions and export controls, travel advice.

Ministry of the InteriorLinkki toiselle sivustolle
Information on immigration, border control, civilian assistance, national security, measures to protect the population and rescue services.

Ministry of Economic Affairs and EmploymentLinkki toiselle sivustolle
Information on energy, security of supply, impacts on businesses and cooperation at external borders.

Ministry of FinanceLinkki toiselle sivustolle
Information on the Finnish economy and financial system, public sector ICT infrastructure and digital services.

Ministry of DefenceLinkki toiselle sivustolle
Information on Finland's defence materiel assistance to Ukraine.

Ministry of Education and CultureLinkki toiselle sivustolle
Information from the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Sanctions and visas to Finland for Russians

Finland’s support to Ukraine

Ukrainians who have fled to Finland

Security

Security of supply and energy

What can I do?

Coping with crisis