The Potential For Russian Exploitation of the Saami Indigenous Peoples of Finland

The Finnish Saami may be vulnerable to potential Russian influence operations, due the Saami's marginalization in Finnish society, lack of political power, serious grievances against the Finnish government, and the Saami's abode in Lapland, a geostrategic location of importance. Preventing or delaying Western industrialization and militarization of Lapland would benefit Russia and the Finnish Saami. Influence operations against the Finnish Saami may be indirect while encouraging Saami opposition against the Finnish government through a humanitarian approach.