Finland as far as I am aware is recognised as a separate Country and is not considered in any shape or form a Russian stat
Bloody Russians, they meddle in everyone’s independence. Wikipedia is bollocks of course. The whole region is unbelievable.
Following Swedish losses in the 1808-1809 Finnish War with Russia,
Finland became part of the Russian Empire from 1809 until its independence in 1917. Finland was a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire, although during this time it retained many of the laws that it had adopted while part of Sweden.
Finland as a part of the Russian Empire 1809–1917
Russia captured the region of Finland from Sweden in 1808–1809. Finland became an autonomic part of Imperial Russia and most of the laws from the time of the Swedish rule remained in force. During the Russian rule, Finland became a special region developed by order of the Emperor. For example, Helsinki city centre was built during Russian rule.
Starting from 1899, Russia tightened its grip on the Grand Duchy of Finland. Finland did not take part in World War I, but nationalism also had an influence on the region of Finland. Finland was granted its own parliament in 1906, and the first elections were held in 1907. Finland declared independence on 6 December 1917, and the Bolshevik government that seized power in the October Revolution in Russia recognised Finnish independence on 31 December 1917.
Important events
1812 Helsinki becomes the capital
1827 The old capital Turku is destroyed in a fire, emphasising Helsinki’s standing
1860 Finland adopts its own currency, the markka
1906 Universal and equal right to vote, also for women
6 December 1917 Finland declares independence