Finland bolsters defenses amid growing Russian military activity

Finland is expanding its defensive infrastructure in response to increased Russian military activity along their 1,300-kilometer shared border, Finnish Defence Forces official Major General Sami Nurmi said.

Satellite imagery published by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal shows systematic build-up of Russian military infrastructure near the Finnish border, including troop tents, armored storage facilities, and drone units. Finland also expressed concern over the restoration of the Severomorsk-2 airbase beyond the Arctic Circle.

Authorities in Helsinki have announced plans to raise defense spending to 3% of GDP, extend the age limit for reservists to 65, and strengthen the country’s mobilization capacity to 1 million personnel by 2031. In April, Finland withdrew from the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines, citing the need to reinforce border defense amid perceived Russian aggression.

Former advisor to Finnish President Tarja Halonen, Aira Kalela, told haqqin.az that Finland has always seen Russia as a potential threat and is now morally and institutionally prepared for any scenario. She said that Finland’s $90 million contribution of heavy munitions to Ukraine, funded via frozen Russian assets under the EU’s Peace Facility, reflects Finland’s belief in Ukraine’s defense as part of Europe’s collective security architecture.

N.Tebrizli