Sep 28, 2026, 10:00 AM UTC

A Russian missile strike in Kyiv forced Finnish public broadcaster Yle's foreign correspondent, Maxim Fedorov, to alter live broadcast plans and seek shelter moments before going on air. Fedorov was unharmed and managed to complete the report shortly after from inside a shelter.

Separately, Russian authorities have imprisoned a Finnish volunteer fighter who previously served in Ukraine. The Helsinki resident, identified by Finnish media as Mikael, was detained after traveling to Africa and subsequently faces mercenary charges in Russia. This development represents the first documented case of a Finnish foreign fighter who served in Ukraine being incarcerated by Moscow.

Sources: Helsingin Sanomat, Iltalehti

Political science scholar Alpo Rusi has provided further insight into Soviet covert operations in Finland during the late 1970s and early 1980s, focusing on intimidation tactics aimed at former Prime Minister Keijo Liinamaa.

In an analysis published by Iltalehti, Rusi detailed how Soviet intelligence services actively intervened in Finnish domestic politics during a critical period surrounding President Urho Kekkonen’s eventual succession. Liinamaa, who served as prime minister and national conciliator, had reportedly disclosed facing direct threats connected to foreign interference efforts prior to his death in 1980.

According to Rusi, the pressure highlighted Moscow's broader objective of steering Finnish political leadership and maintaining strategic leverage over Helsinki during sensitive political transitions.

Sources: Iltalehti