Finland to sever key cross-border internet connection to Russia by 2027

Finnish electricity grid operator Fingrid has announced plans to end maintenance on high-voltage pylons supporting vital cross-border fiber-optic cables to Russia by 2027. The decision will effectively sever a major internet connection, potentially limiting access to foreign online services for Russian users, particularly in the country's northwestern regions.

While digital restrictions in Russia have largely stemmed from internal state censorship, this disconnection originates from external infrastructure management choices in Finland. Once maintenance ceases on the supporting power pylons, the physical cable links between the two nations will no longer be sustained. Fingrid's action reflects a broader ongoing reduction in cross-border infrastructure ties between European Union states and Russia.

Sources: Der Standard.