Russia Expands Military Presence Near Finnish Border

Recent satellite imagery suggests a significant increase in military activity by Russia along its border with Finland, which stretches for 1,340 kilometers. Following Finland's accession to NATO two years ago, reports indicate that Russia is actively working to bolster its military capabilities in the region.

Finnish broadcaster Yle has highlighted new developments in Kandalakscha, located in the Murmansk Oblast, where construction has begun on a garrison for an artillery brigade. This marks the first tangible evidence of a permanent increase in military personnel in proximity to the Finnish border, according to local sources.

The authorities in Murmansk have announced plans to establish a new military town approximately 150 kilometers east of the border, in addition to renovating existing residential buildings. Observations from various military sites near the border reveal additional changes, as reported by Yle.

Similarly, Swedish broadcaster SVT has analyzed satellite images that indicate signs of isolated military reinforcements near the Finnish border. In Petrosawodsk, situated about 175 kilometers from the border, the Russian military has reportedly constructed three storage facilities capable of accommodating up to 50 armored vehicles each. Furthermore, a tent camp for several thousand soldiers has been established at the Kamenka military base, and there are indications that the previously closed air force base in Seweromorsk-2 is undergoing reconstruction.

However, it should be noted that the current level of Russian military activity in this region does not compare to the troop buildups observed prior to the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Reports from sources connected to NATO have indicated that the scale of military mobilization at the Finnish border is not comparable to the extensive preparations witnessed before Russia's incursion into Ukraine.

In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, both Finland and Sweden sought NATO membership in 2022, with Finland officially joining the alliance in the spring of 2023 and Sweden following suit almost a year later. With the longest border of any NATO member state with Russia, Finland remains vigilant as tensions continue to escalate in the region.