Finland delivers oil spill response equipment to Ukraine

Finland has provided Ukraine with an extensive package of equipment for combating oil spills. The package included donations compiled by the Finnish Border Guard and rescue departments, and materials procured by the Ministry of the Interior. A total of 35 truckloads of oil spill response equipment were delivered to Ukraine.

Oil spill response is an effective means of reducing the short-term and long-term effects of harmful substances released into the environment. Compounds contained in oil are extremely harmful to the ecosystem. Even small concentrations can contaminate groundwater and other water sources that are used, for example, by households. At the end of 2025, Ukraine urgently requested oil spill response assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Ministry of the Interior coordinated the request with the Finnish Border Guard and all rescue departments. 

“Cooperation between the authorities worked extremely well. Our collaboration in oil spill response was once again efficient and effective. We collected a significant amount of equipment for donation without compromising our own response capability,” says Senior Officer for Rescue Services Ville Estlander from the Ministry of the Interior.

Equipment was donated by the rescue departments of South Karelia, South Savo, Helsinki, Kainuu, Kanta-Häme, Central Finland, Central Ostrobothnia, Kymenlaakso, West Uusimaa, Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Päijät-Häme, Satakunta and Southwest Finland.  The donations included containment booms, oil skimmers, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other equipment needed for oil spill response.

The Finnish Border Guard donated oil skimmers and their power sources, booms, PPE and other equipment needed for oil spill response.

Donation process begins with the Ministry of the Interior

The Department for Rescue Services at the Ministry of the Interior coordinates civilian material donations from all sectors of society to Ukraine. This enables companies, government agencies, organisations, municipalities or wellbeing services counties to give their support to Ukraine. A substantial amount of assistance has already been sent to Ukraine through the Civil Protection Mechanism. 

The Ministry of the Interior forwards all offers of assistance to Ukraine through the Civil Protection Mechanism and pays for the transport costs.

Inquiries: civprot.sm@gov.fi