A chilling mystery unfolds in the forests of Finland, where a record number of reindeer deaths has left herders like Juha Kujala in a state of uncertainty.
Kujala, a 54-year-old reindeer herder, has witnessed a disturbing trend since 2022. As he releases his animals into the wild along the Finnish-Russian border, they face a deadly threat - wolves. These wolves, he believes, are from Russia, taking advantage of the political tensions between the two countries sparked by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
In this heavily forested frontier, large animals roam freely, often unnoticed. But on the Finnish side, a surge in wolf attacks on reindeer has sparked concern and speculation. Herders suspect that the absence of Russian hunters, who were sent to the frontline in Ukraine, has led to an explosion in wolf populations, driving them to seek new territories in Finland.
"The last year has been devastating," Kujala shares. "Wolf attacks are at an all-time high. Our reindeer are an easy target."
Kujala, whose reindeer spend the winter near Kuusamo, has seen the gruesome evidence firsthand. "You can see the signs of a wolf attack - they go for the throat and legs. It's unmistakable."
The Reindeer Herders' Association of Finland reports a record-breaking 2,124 reindeer killed by wolves in 2025, with many more likely unaccounted for. Herders share photos of skeletal remains, often picked clean by these predators.
But authorities hesitate to definitively blame Russian wolves. With limited contact across the border and no answers from Russian officials, the reasons behind the increase in attacks remain shrouded in mystery. Finnish herders can no longer collect reindeer that cross the border, a common practice before the Ukraine invasion.
The wolf's conservation status has been a topic of debate. Once strictly protected in the EU, its population has almost doubled across Europe, leading to a downgrade in protection status. With an estimated 65,500 livestock killed by wolves annually, some EU states have increased culling efforts. Finland, too, has lifted its ban on wolf hunting, opting for a hunting quota system to control population growth.
Ilpo Kojola, a wolf specialist, suggests the war in Ukraine may have played a role in the change. "The wolf population can increase rapidly, and hunting usually keeps them in check in Russia." However, he cautions, "It's impossible to be conclusive. There could be other factors at play."
Official statistics put the Finnish wolf population at around 430 in spring last year, part of the same subspecies as those in Russia, which boasts an estimated 60,000 wolves. Kojola points to historical precedents, like the doubling of wolf populations during World War II and another spike when the USSR collapsed.
"The timing of the increase in attacks aligns with the war in Ukraine," he notes. "But we can't say for certain what role the soldiers stationed on the border played in wolf hunting."
Mia Valtonen, a senior scientist, conducts genetic testing on wolves shot for population control. She confirms that many of the wolves shot in Finland are not native, but researchers cannot be certain without a complete genetic record of the entire wolf population.
"We can't say most of these wolves are from Russia with absolute certainty. It's likely, but we need more evidence."
Herders like Kujala, who regularly find dead reindeer, urge for better protection. "We don't hate the wolves, but we need balance. Our reindeer spend most of their time in the wild, and it's impossible to protect them 24/7. They need to be healthy and strong. This is our livelihood, our heritage."
The mystery of the wolf attacks continues to unfold, leaving herders like Kujala in a state of uncertainty and fear for their ancient way of life.
