Authorities confirm no violation of international agreements by Russia at Saimaa Canal rental area

Authorities do not suspect that Russia has violated international agreements in the rental area of the Saimaa Canal. This was revealed in the response from Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne to a written inquiry by MP Suna Kymäläinen regarding safety concerns related to maintenance work in the canal’s rental area.

Kymäläinen’s inquiry stemmed from claims that a Russian extremist group, Rusitš, had entered into an agreement with the Russian Border Guard regarding reconnaissance and surveillance tasks at the Finnish border. The group had shared information about its activities via the Telegram messaging service, including a photograph from September showing its members near the canal’s Rättijärvi lock, close to the Finnish border.

Some employees of the maintenance contractor for the Saimaa Canal have refused to work in the rental area due to concerns about possible encounters with the Rusitš group. In her response, Minister Ranne noted that the Saimaa Canal Authority and the Border Guard have exchanged information on Rusitš’s activities, and there are currently no grounds to suspect any violations of agreements between Finland and Russia.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, attention to Russian activities in the rental area has increased. The Saimaa Canal Commission, which oversees permit issues, has urged authorities to develop a guideline for Finnish workers operating in the rental area to facilitate assistance in emergency situations. According to existing agreements, Finnish emergency and rescue personnel have access to the rental area, and regular inspections are conducted by authorities who report their findings to relevant parties.

The lease agreement concerning the Saimaa Canal, established over 60 years ago between Finland and the Soviet Union, remains in effect today, with the canal spanning over 40 kilometers across both countries’ territories. While Russian law applies in the rental area, Finnish maritime law governs operations within the canal itself.