In response to Russia’s expanding military infrastructure along their shared 1,340-kilometer border, Finland is intensifying its defense preparations, adopting a stance of vigilant readiness as a NATO member.
Major General Sami Nurmi, head of strategy for the Finnish Defence Forces, emphasized that the military is closely monitoring Moscow’s maneuvers, stating, “It was their job, as part of the NATO alliance, to ‘prepare for the worst.’”
This development follows Finland’s rapid accession to NATO in 2023, prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which doubled the alliance’s border with Russia and heightened regional tensions.
Advertisement
Satellite imagery, as reported by The Guardian and corroborated by The New York Times, reveals Russia’s military buildup near the Finnish frontier.
Advertisement
The imagery shows new infrastructure, including rows of tents, military vehicle warehouses, renovated fighter jet shelters, and construction at a previously unused helicopter base in the Karelian Isthmus and other areas like Petrozavodsk and Kamenka.
While NATO officials note that this buildup is not on the scale of Russia’s pre-2022 Ukraine invasion preparations, it signals a strategic shift, potentially in response to Finland’s NATO membership.
Major General Nurmi indicated that Russia may be preparing to redeploy forces, particularly land units, to the Finnish border once the Ukraine conflict subsides, stating, “They are changing structures and we are seeing moderate preparations when it comes to building infrastructure close to our borders.”
Finland has responded decisively to these developments.
The Finnish Border Guard recently completed the first 35 kilometers of a planned 200-kilometer fence along the eastern border, equipped with cameras and sensors to distinguish between human and animal crossings.
This barrier, initiated after Helsinki accused Moscow of orchestrating a “hybrid operation” by directing asylum seekers to the border, has been closed since November 2023.
Additionally, Finland is ramping up its military capabilities, with plans to integrate 64 F-35 fighter jets into its air force by 2030 and increasing defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2029.
The country maintains a robust military, capable of mobilizing 284,000 troops in emergencies, supported by one of Europe’s most powerful artillery arsenals.
Civilian preparedness is also on the rise. The Finnish Women’s National Emergency Preparedness Association (Nasta) reported high demand for its training courses, with over 800 women applying for its spring session, reflecting a societal shift toward readiness.
However, Suvi Aksela, Nasta’s communications manager, noted that the border buildup is not a major concern in Helsinki, stating, “It is not very alarming for us.
We are used to hearing stuff from Russia, like all these threats.” This resilience stems from Finland’s historical experience with its eastern neighbor, having faced Soviet aggression during the Winter War and maintained a policy of preparedness since.
Despite the escalating Russian presence, Finnish officials, including Nurmi, maintain there is “no immediate military threat” to Finland or NATO.
This sentiment was echoed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who remarked on May 20, 2025, that Finland and Norway were “going to be very safe.”
However, Finland’s strategic posture remains cautious, shaped by its history and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Nurmi noted, “What happened right after the Ukrainian attack was we applied for NATO membership and then when we were accepted Russia announced they would start to change their military posture across the border.”
Russia’s actions are seen as a response to NATO’s expansion, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov previously calling Finland’s NATO membership an “encroachment on our security.”
The Leningrad Military District’s reestablishment and the brigades’ expansion into divisions near St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk underscore Moscow’s intent to bolster its northwest defenses.
Finnish military analyst Emil Kastehelmi, part of the Black Bird Group, highlighted new trench systems and logistics upgrades, suggesting Russia is drawing lessons from Ukraine to fortify its positions.
As Russia’s military spending surges to over 6% of GDP and its army aims to grow to 1.5 million troops, Finland and its NATO allies are reinforcing their defenses.
Joint exercises with U.S. and NATO forces in the Arctic and the establishment of a NATO forward command in Lapland signal a collective commitment to countering potential threats.
While Finnish citizens remain accustomed to Russia’s looming presence, the nation’s proactive measures—ranging from border fortifications to civilian training—reflect a pragmatic approach to a volatile geopolitical landscape.
