Russia moves missiles to Finnish border

Russian news agency Interfax reported on Thursday that two S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems had been moved towards the Finnish border. (iStock)
Russian news agency Interfax reported on Thursday that two S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems had been moved towards the Finnish border. (iStock)
Russia has announced that two s-400 missile defence systems have been moved to the Finnish border.

Finland’s Defence Minister says that there’s nothing unusual about the move, except the way it was reported.

Russian news agency Interfax reported on Thursday that two S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems had been moved towards the Finnish border. Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö told Yle that there is nothing strange about the move.

“Russia has earlier indicated that it is placing for example these S-400 anti-aircraft missiles in the Kola Peninsula, and it has earlier said it’s placing these missiles in Crimea,” said Niinistö. “This is normal practice. Russia is using these systems to replace the older S-300 rockets.”

‘Surprising’ reporting says Finland’s defence minister

Niinistö says that the renewal programme is a product of the resources Russia has put into weapons technology recently. The minister did say that some of the reports on the move were a little odd.

“The reporting was a bit surprising,” said Niinistö. “There was a tinge of foreign policy in the Moscow Times piece that cited President Putin’s comments on (potential Finnish membership of) Nato.”

The Moscow Times article had included comments made by Putin in July, when he had warned Finnish President Sauli Niinistö of the potential consequences if Finland were to join Nato. Niinistö, meanwhile, emphasised that the weapons in question are defensive in nature.

“The positioning of S-400 Triumf missiles near Saint Petersburg is evidence that Saint Petersburg is an important metropolis for Russia,” said Niinistö.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: Canada’s defence review and the Arctic, Eye on the Arctic

Denmark:  Nordics to step up security cooperation on perceived Russian threat, Yle News

Finland:  Finland to plan joint Nordic military uniform, Yle News

Norway:  Norway calls snap military drill in Arctic, after Russian announcement, The Independent Barents Observer

Russia:  New Russian spy ship to keep tabs on Norway, Barents Observer

Sweden:  New security landscape in the Arctic, Radio Sweden

United States: U.S. general says Alaska military cuts not final without Arctic plan, Alaska Public Radio Network

 

Yle News

For more news from Finland visit Yle News.

One thought on “Russia moves missiles to Finnish border

  • Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 14:57
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    Why would Russia move its missiles closer to the Finnish border? I do not see the point, can you explain it?

    Reply
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