Russia ramps up military presence near Finland-Norway border
Russia is intensifying military activities near the borders with Finland and Norway by expanding air bases and storage facilities in Karelia. This move is a response to Finland and Sweden's decision to join NATO, as reported by Finnish media.
What do you need to know?
- Russia has five active air bases near northern Finland and Norway.
- In Karelia, storage facilities and garrisons are being expanded, which may indicate preparations to increase military presence in the region.
- These activities are a response to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, which Russia sees as a threat to its sphere of influence, according to Finnish media.
What are the key locations of Russian bases?
Russia has concentrated its forces in the Murmansk Oblast, where there are three air bases in Severomorsk on the Kola Peninsula. This is also the location of the main base of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy.
These bases are strategically located, just 71 miles from the Norwegian border and 124 miles from Finnish Lapland. In recent years, there have been repairs to fighter hangars and a helicopter base has been reactivated.
Why is Russia expanding its bases?
The expansion of bases in Karelia and Murmansk Oblast is an element of a strategy to defend against potential long-range drone attacks.
Russia has relocated its Tu-92 strategic bombers to Olenegorsk to enhance their safety. In Petrozavodsk and Kamienka, storage facilities and garrisons have been expanded, potentially indicating preparations to increase the number of soldiers in the region.
Russia disagrees with Finland and Sweden's decision to join NATO, viewing it as a threat to its sphere of influence. In response, Russia has announced that it would implement appropriate countermeasures, which it is currently enacting by strengthening its military presence in the region.
