A recent report by Ilta-Sanomat highlights the presence of several hazardous chemical and explosive storage facilities in Finland that have indirect ties to Russia. These facilities, initially approved for a company named Sibiritfin, also known as Nitro Sibir Finland, have been operational for over two decades, stemming from the expansion of Russia's largest blasting explosives manufacturer, Nitro Sibir, into Finland. This development occurred openly and in collusion with the Russian state's commercial representatives, raising questions about the regulatory scrutiny that these operations received.

The report indicates a historical lack of concern surrounding the political risks associated with collaboration on civil engineering and mining explosives with Russia. However, the geopolitical landscape began to shift dramatically after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These events prompted Finland to reconsider the potential threats posed by foreign ownership of properties, including the risk of Russian-owned vacation cabins being used for nefarious purposes.

The revelations in this article underscore the urgent need for Finnish authorities to reassess their regulatory frameworks surrounding explosive materials and foreign investments, especially in light of the evolving security situation in the region. The question remains whether any preventive measures will be enacted to address these vulnerabilities, which could have serious implications for public safety and national security.