Russia might have just launched its first offensive move against Finland since lawmakers from Helsinki applied to NATO’s military alliance.

Gasum, Finland’s state-owned wholesaler of natural gas, stated Friday that Russian natural gas imports will be stopped starting Saturday.

Gazprom export informed Gasum Friday afternoon that gas supplies to Finland in accordance with Gasum’s supply contracts would be reduced on Saturday, May 21st 2022 at 07.00,” the statement read.

Gasum’s CEO Mika Wiljanen added that the company had been preparing for such a situation “and provided that there will be no disruptions in the gas transmission network, we will be able to supply all our customers with gas in the coming months.”

Gasum will provide natural gas for its customers through the Balticconnector pipeline from other sources. He said that Gasum’s gas-filling stations within the gas network area would continue to operate as normal.

CNBC was unable to contact Gazprom immediately.

This is Russia’s gas-giant state-owned company Gazprom in April told Poland and Bulgaria that it would halt supplies after both countries refused Moscow’s demand to pay for gas supplies in rubles.

Moscow quickly expressed its disapproval at Finland’s request, as did Sweden and other Nordic nations, by announcing that it was preparing to send a presidential message. Vladimir Putin saying Monday that the expansion of NATO “is a problem.”

Putin claimed that Russia would react to the development of Sweden’s military infrastructure, and also said Moscow was not in conflict with those countries.

Finland’s and Sweden’s membership in NATO is not a done deal yet as any decision on enlargement requires the approval of all 30 members of the alliance and their parliaments — and Turkey has already voiced objections.

—CNBC’s Holly Ellyatt contributed to this article.