Some fellow citizens chose to join the Russian forces.
Currently, about a hundred Finnish volunteers are serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This was reported by the media group Uutissuomalainen, citing an assessment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The foreign ministry clarified that not all Finnish citizens necessarily participate in combat operations.
According to the Security Police SUPO, there have been several dozen Finnish volunteers in Ukraine during the war.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than ten Finns have died or gone missing in the fighting. The ministry has information that some Finnish citizens have fought on the side of Russia.
– It is not worth going.
This is how Juha Kreus responds to calls from those planning to volunteer to fight for Ukraine.
However, he does not discourage anyone, but merely states the facts.
– The essence of war comes down to two things: killing and dying. And one must be prepared for this. Death also means immense pain for loved ones.
Kreus is the head of the public organization Sodan kokeneet, which provides assistance to people returning from combat zones.
The response from the Defense Forces to those considering going is very clear.
– We do not recommend anyone go abroad to fight in the ranks of another country. Participation in combat operations as part of another country's army may negatively affect conscription during wartime in Finland, the General Staff responds via email.
A resident of Lempi and reserve major, 64-year-old Jouni Lahti, who trained soldiers in Ukraine, spoke about the good training of Finnish volunteers.
– Finns are often taken as instructors because we have a lot of knowledge and skills, Lahti says. – The level of training of any soldier who has completed mandatory service in the Finnish army is many times higher compared to Ukrainians, Lahti believes.
He noted that Ukrainians fight similarly to Russians, that is, "by force and numbers," and the winner is the last survivor.
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