Nordic Edition

Finland Takes Closer Look at Russian-Owned Properties

Scores of Russian-owned properties in Finland are located near military installations and critical infrastructure
A stretch of fence separating Russia and Finland near Imatra, in southeast Finland.Photographer: Roni Rekomaa/Bloomberg

Hi, this is Kati Pohjanpalo in Helsinki. Welcome to our weekly newsletter on what’s shaping economies and investments from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea. You can subscribe here.

For decades, Finland allowed investors from Russia to buy real estate all across the country. Over the years, Russians purchased thousands of properties — including ones on NATO’s eastern flank, and close to military bases and critical infrastructure. Now, the Finnish government is struggling to discern what’s an innocent investment, and what might be a threat.