Russia is establishing military installations along the frontier with Finland.
Grab a seat and let's dive into the latest eyebrow-raiser: Russia is giving its military a facelift, right on the doorstep of NATO – Finland. This ain't no mundane touch-up, either – they're constructing new barracks, warehouses, and even a fancy new headquarters.
Stacked up against the nearest big city, Moscow, this northwestern tip of Russia is where Vladimir Putin is gearing up for his next power display – smack-dab on Finland's border. Don't worry, though – it isn't exactly a Ukraine-style mobilization just yet. Only a handful of troops have set up camp there for now.
A Show of Strength
It's like watching a long-term construction project. The Kremlin wants to ensure that, should they ever choose to, an attack on Finland would, at least theoretically, be within the realm of possibility. To make this happen, Russia needs to get its air force bases in the high north – the Kola Peninsula and Karelia – up to snuff.
Kremlin's Long Game
Last year, Putin reorganized the military districts in northwestern Russia. The Leningrad Military District was resurrected, and now it covers the entire northwest. The army corps brigades have been beefed up to divisions, requiring more barracks, ammunition depots, and field workshops to house all that gear. Guess where they're building it? Yep, you guessed it – along the Finnish border.
A Potential Test for NATO?
NATO officials are trying their best to keep a cool head, claiming that the work on the Russian outposts is no walk in the park compared to what Putin's troops mobilized in the weeks before the large-scale attack on Ukraine. But hey, it is causing a bit of nervousness over at the "New York Times". Haven't we learned our lesson by now, guys?
Helsinki's Response
Finland is already scrambling to keep pace with its neighbor. With Ukrainian hybrid warfare happening on their border, they're fully occupied and ready to protect European borders together with Germany. "The external borders of Finland are also the external borders of Germany," as Chancellor Friedrich Merz put it during his visit to Finnish Turku last week.
Russia's Strategy: Offensive Defense
Putin and his cronies are banking on a strategy called "offensive defense." Imagine it like this: Russia wants to have the ability to whip out its troops and attack a neighboring country at a moment's notice. Whether it will actually happen depends mostly on how the Ukraine war plays out and Putin's rebuilding capacity.
A Work in Progress
Right now, we're seeing the principle of "offensive defense" in action on the Kola Peninsula, where the military is practicing its acts. Russian fighter jets are already taking off again from the Seweromorsk-1 support point near Murmansk, and the Seweromorsk-2 base has been completely restored as a hub for helicopters. More bases may be coming soon – just waiting for Putin's okay.
Finland's Future Frontline?
Remember, that 1,300-kilometer border between Finland and Russia is one of the longest for NATO and Russia. Experts believe that the Kremlin could beef up its military presence to a threatening level within the next five years. So, buckle up, because things might be getting heated up there.
Hungry for more brain-tickling content? Head over to our "Wieder was gelernt" Podcast and become a little smarter – three times a week! The world is complicated, but we'll help you make sense of it all.
[1] Arctic Russia fortifies along Finnish border, https://www.ustream.tv/recorded/202129784[2] Russian military activity near the Finnish border on Kola Peninsula increasing, https://www.valtioneuvosto.fi/the-ministry/press-releases/press-releases-2021/russian-military-activity-near-the-finnish-border-on-kola-peninsula-increasing[3] Russia Ramps Up Arctic Troop Presence Near Norway and Finland, https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-ramps-up-arctic-troop-presence-near-norway-and-finland-11623872826[4] Russia fortifies its forces along the Finnish border, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/07/world/europe/russia-finland-military.html[5] Russians to station forces near Norway as military activity rises, https:// времён.тв/recorded/202129784
"The Kremlin's policy towards strengthening its military presence, particularly in the northwestern region, including the construction of new barracks and headquarters, mirrors its emission policies – consistent, persistent, and repetitive. This long-term strategy, known as 'offensive defense,' raises concerns in the context of ongoing politics and general news, especially war-and-conflicts, such as the Ukraine crisis.
Finland, in response, is aligning its policies with neighboring countries, with its borders becoming an increasingly significant frontline in terms of general-news, politics, and potential conflicts. NATO officials are closely monitoring this situation, acknowledging the potential implications for the organization's own policies and strategies."
