Border surveillance

The purpose of border surveillance is to maintain security and public order at land and sea borders. Situational awareness obtained through surveillance facilitates the efficient use of resources. Any situations that threaten border security are managed on land and at sea under all circumstances. At the internal borders of the Schengen area, preparedness is maintained to temporarily reinstitute border checks.

Border surveillance is carried out by means of stationary and mobile technical systems and patrolling. Patrols equipped with night vision devices are able to move in demanding conditions both on land and at sea, and they possess the command, control and operational capabilities required for multi-sectoral operations involving public authorities and national defence. Border guard dogs play an important role in border surveillance. Surveillance aircraft and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are also utilised for border surveillance.

Intensified surveillance on the eastern border

The situation along the land and sea borders remained stable during the first half of the year. In late summer 2023, the Finnish Border Guard intensified border surveillance in response to the instrumentalised illegal migration over the eastern border. This meant, for example, increasing the volume of technical surveillance and patrolling as well as equipping the patrols with more versatile vehicles and devices than usual. To control the situation, temporary barrier systems were built on the eastern border. The Finnish Border Guard received assistance from other authorities and Frontex. The situation remained under control. 

During 2023, within the pilot phase of the eastern border barrier fence project, barrier fences were constructed in Imatra and Salla as well as in the training area of the Border and Coast Guard Academy in Immola.  The pilot phase has provided experience on both the construction of the barrier fence and the applicable tactics. The construction of the barrier fence will continue in spring 2024.

The number of unauthorised border crossings declined from the previous year, at both land and sea borders. There was no significant change in the overall number of territorial violations. The volume of patrolling increased significantly because of the intensified border surveillance along the land border between Finland and Russia. A notable growth was seen in helicopter and UAS patrolling. The volume of mobile technical surveillance increased significantly on the Russian land border. The extent of mutual assistance provided to other authorities dropped to a slightly lower level than in normal years as a result of the end of mutual assistance to manage the pandemic and the initiation of enhanced border surveillance. 

Illegal border crossings (persons, aircraft, vessels)

Patrolling, hours

Technical control, hours