Hamina’s giant flagpole faces demolition as Russian manufacturer claims unpaid debt
The Russian company that built Hamina’s 100-metre flagpole says it is still owed €50,660, while the structure now faces demolition over safety concerns, Yle reports.
Amira Group, the St. Petersburg-based manufacturer, constructed the flagpole in 2018 under a contract with Finnish supplier ADS Finland. According to Amira’s foreign trade department head Natalia Avvakumova, payments stopped in February 2020 without explanation. “The contractual debt currently stands at €50,660,” she said.
The flagpole, once Europe’s tallest, was originally budgeted at €332,000, but costs reportedly doubled due to additional work. Hamina city officials confirm the final price approached €700,000, though Amira declined to specify the exact sum, citing confidentiality.
ADS Finland, the Finnish intermediary, has since ceased operations. The company previously disputed the invoices as unjustified, but records show all parties were aware of tens of thousands in extra costs as early as 2019. It remains unclear whether the current debt relates to those earlier disputes.
Hamina’s urban development director Toni Puustinen stated the city has fulfilled its payment obligations to ADS Finland. “As far as I know, all payments were processed. If the manufacturer hasn’t received funds, I can’t explain why,” he said, noting he was not involved in the project’s initial phase.
The flagpole’s safety issues—including flaking zinc and paint—have prompted demolition plans, pending final approval by the city council. Amira Group maintains it followed all design and testing protocols, including wind-load and aerodynamic assessments at Russia’s Krylov State Research Centre. Avvakumova added that no similar quality issues have been reported in the company’s other flagpoles across Russia.
Former Hamina city manager Hannu Muhonen dismissed suggestions of municipal liability, calling the debt “a matter between the two companies.” Current financial director Olli Vilen declined to comment.