Spotted. Russian troop buildup on Finland border.Credit: Kosmogenez – Planet Labs
Russia’s buildup of troops and military hardware along Finland’s border has sent shockwaves through NATO, as satellite imagery has revealed troop camps, refurbished airbases, and new warehouses for armoured vehicles just a few kilometres from Finnish territory.
The buildup has brought back the nightmare of the prelude to the Ukraine war and comes as Finland marks its second year as a NATO member after joining the alliance in 2023. This has extended NATO’s border with Russia by over 1300 kilometres, prompting what analysts describe as a ‘deliberate Russian response’.
Satellite images from Planet Labs, reported by Swedish broadcaster SVT, show significant activity at four key sites. At Kamenka, 50 kilometres from Finland, over 130 military tents have appeared since February, potentially housing 2,000 troops. In Petrozavodsk, 160 kilometres from the border, three large warehouses for armoured vehicles have been built, with a fourth under construction. Severomorsk-2, an airfield 180 kilometres from Finland, now has helicopters parked up after being reactivated. At Olenya airbase, 140 kilometres from Finland, long-range bombers used in Ukraine strikes are stationed. The rapid expansion follows Finland’s NATO accession, which Russian officials had warned would trigger a ‘military-technical response’.
Finland watching Russian troop buildup
Finns, living in the shadow of their 1300-kilometre border with Russia, are getting concerned but remain resolute. Finnish officials, while urging calm, have increased border patrols. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stated, ‘We are prepared and vigilant. Russia’s actions won’t intimidate us.’ Many Finns, with a historical culture of resilience from the 1939 Winter War, see NATO as a shield against Russian aggression.
The European Commission has condemned Russia’s actions, warning of heightened tensions after ‘this buildup threatens stability in the region’, said EC spokesperson Peter Stano. ‘We stand in full solidarity with Finland and support NATO’s efforts to ensure collective defence.’ The EC has called for Russia to de-escalate and respect international borders while urging member states to strengthen support for NATO’s eastern flank.
Europe sabre-rattling in response to Russian military buildup
A collective of European nations and the UK have been discussing military operations in defence against a possible Russian attack. Referred to as the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), this coalition includes the UK, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, with recent agreements to invite Ukraine to form a greater partnership with the JEF. As well, there are discussions about a potential UK-France-led coalition or a “mini-NATO” involving countries like Germany, Ukraine, and Baltic and Scandinavian nations, aimed at backing up European defence independently of US support.
Various European states, particularly in Scandinavia and the Baltics, have already reinstated or expanded their conscription programmes as a response to recent Russian actions. Latvia brought back compulsory military service for adult males in 2023, following Lithuania (2015) and Sweden (2017), in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and continuing aggression in Ukraine. Croatia has plans to reinstate conscription in 2025, while in Poland is there is talk of military training for 100,000 civilians.
While Russia flexes the muscles of its military infrastructure, Europe is on high alert, with concerns that Moscow’s actions suggest more than just sabre-rattling. For now, Finland and its allies are bracing for an uncertain future along this tense new frontline.
