Finland has issued a diplomatic note to Russia following an act of vandalism targeting its embassy in Moscow. The Finnish Embassy was defaced with graffiti reading “Aland is ours” in Swedish, referencing the Swedish-speaking Aland Islands, an autonomous Finnish province. Eggs were also thrown at the embassy wall, Finnish Ambassador Marja Liivala confirmed to the news agency STT on Sunday.

According to Liivala, five individuals were apprehended by local police shortly after the incident on Friday, though the nationalities of the detainees remain unknown. Describing the act as “unpleasant,” Liivala stated that the graffiti was being removed and the wall repainted.

The diplomatic note addressed Moscow’s obligation to safeguard the embassy and its staff, a reminder in light of the recent breach. Although Liivala refrained from revealing further details or speculating on the motives behind the act, the incident underscores the tense relations between the neighboring nations.

Relations between Finland and Russia have deteriorated since Finland abandoned its long-standing neutrality and joined NATO in response to the escalating Ukraine conflict in 2022. Recent tensions were further exacerbated after Finland seized around 40 Russian-owned properties, including land on the Aland Islands, citing a legal claim by Ukrainian oil giant Naftogaz over a $5 billion arbitration award from The Hague.

The graffiti on the embassy also featured floral symbols and the letters “SD,” possibly referencing Sweden’s right-wing Sweden Democrats. However, the party denied any involvement.

As diplomatic relations continue to fray, the incident highlights the growing strain between Helsinki and Moscow amidst broader regional conflicts.