Gearing up for a potential showdown: Russia's military expansion along the Finnish border
Russia establishes military facilities along Finnish frontier.
Get ready for a move that could shake things up near NATO's doorstep. Russia's old military bases along the border with Finland are now becoming operational again. New barracks, warehouses, and even a headquarters are being built, with military divisions taking the place of brigades.
The action is heating up at the northwest tip of Russia. The Kremlin is showing off its muscles once more, this time right on the Finnish border. Satellite images show Russia revamping old, rundown military airfields and giving aging barracks a much-needed facelift.
While NATO officials try to keep their cool, suggesting that the work on the Russian strongpoints doesn't compare to the mobilization Putin's troops underwent before the attack on Ukraine, a potential test of the defense alliance might be on the horizon. Only a small number of Russian troops are currently stationed at the border with Finland for now.
Military expert Gustav Gressel reports that Russia is pursuing a long-term plan to be strategically positioned in a few years, making an attack on Finland theoretically feasible. To achieve this, Russia needs to upgrade its air force bases in the far north, specifically on the Kola Peninsula and in Karelia.
The Finnish border, over 1,300 kilometers long, is currently occupied with border guards as they grapple with Russia's push towards the west. While Moscow hasn't yet built up its troops to a threatening level, Finland is already dealing with the instrumentalization of migration as part of hybrid warfare against them.
Russia's strategy appears to be one of "offensive defense," according to Gressel. The Kremlin wants to be able to attack any neighboring country in principle, though the question remains whether Russia will ever be in a political situation to actually do so. The further course of the Ukraine war will play a significant role in determining whether an attack will take place or not.
All eyes are on the air force base in Olenya, located roughly 150 kilometers from NATO territory. Recent reports from Kyiv suggest numerous attacks on Ukraine are being launched from here, with some aircraft being destroyed as part of the Ukrainian intelligence operation called "Operation Spider's Web." southern Russia is also fortifying its positions, with a new headquarters planned for Petrozavodsk in Karelia, capable of housing tens of thousands of soldiers in the coming years.
Russia's military expansion in the north seems far from over. The predicted effect of this buildup on the Finnish border will depend largely on Russia's ongoing actions amid the evolving geopolitical landscape.
- The ongoing military expansion by Russia along the Finnish border raises concerns about potential shift in the region's employment policies, as both community and employment policies may need to be revised to accommodate increased security measures.
- As political tensions escalate in the north, general-news media outlets should keep a close eye on potential policy changes, including those related to employment and community, to stay informed about any possible community-wide implications stemming from the geopolitical developments in the region.
