Lessons from Ukraine for Finland’s Security of Supply: In a Prolonged Crisis, the Ability to Keep Everyday Life Running Is Critical

How can society remain functional during a crisis that lasts for years? Based on lessons learned from Ukraine, key factors include the ability to sustain people’s daily lives, business operations, and essential services despite severe disruptions.

A new report by the National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA) brings together lessons identified from Ukraine’s experiences to support the development of Finland’s security of supply in the event of a military threat. Its purpose is to support preparedness efforts by companies, public authorities, and other critical actors, while also strengthening the resilience of Finnish society in a changing security environment.

“Preparing for the most severe and prolonged crises also strengthens our ability to cope with a wide range of other disruptions and threats, including hybrid activities. When essential societal functions, business operations and people’s daily lives can withstand disruptions, we are better equipped to face unexpected situations as well. Together with public authorities, companies and our other partners, the National Emergency Supply Agency seeks to build and strengthen resilience so that Finnish society can function under all circumstances. Risks and threats should be taken seriously, but there is no reason to give in to fear: through determined preparedness efforts, we can strengthen our ability to cope and maintain everyday life even in difficult conditions,” says Janne Känkänen, Director General of the National Emergency Supply Agency.

From a security of supply perspective, one of the most important observations from Ukraine is that, in a prolonged crisis, societal resilience cannot rely solely on stockpiles, backup systems, or the protection of individual functions.

“The continuity of people’s daily lives, business operations, and essential public services strengthens the resilience of society as a whole. Ukraine’s experience shows that society must be able to function even when a disruption lasts not for days or weeks, but for years. In such circumstances, the ability to adapt, repair, endure, and continue operating under changed conditions becomes critical,” says Jarna Hartikainen, Head of Planning at NESA.

The lessons compiled by the National Emergency Supply Agency particularly highlight:

• Availability and operational capability of personnel – society cannot function without people to keep it running.
• Decentralisation of critical functions – the destruction of a smaller unit causes less disruption than the loss of a larger, centralised one.
• Management of dependencies related to energy, telecommunications, and logistics – all operations depend on access to energy, functioning communications networks, and logistics.
• Rapid repair and recovery capability – damage caused by attacks must be repaired quickly so that everyday life can continue.
• Shared situational awareness and information exchange – for example, mobile applications help people seek shelter at the right time.
• Close cooperation between the public and private sectors – many essential services are provided by businesses.

These lessons provide a useful framework for preparedness planning in Finland as well.

The National Emergency Supply Agency has monitored the situation in Ukraine throughout the four and a half years of Russia’s war of aggression and has organised study visits to the country involving representatives of authorities and companies that play a key role in security of supply. The report is based on findings from these assessments and study visits.

The public version of the report presents the lessons from Ukraine at a general level. Care has also been taken to ensure that it does not disclose, for example, Finland’s vulnerabilities or detailed preparedness development needs.

Lessons from Ukraine for Finland’s Security of Supply (pdf)

Read also Scenario on the use of military force against Finland and security of supply (pdf)