Finnish Defence Minister: No surprises in Russia’s base buildup near Lapland
Satellite images obtained by Yle revealed that Russia began extensive construction work last winter in a closed military town, near the border with Finnish Lapland.
There is nothing new or surprising in the satellite images obtained by Yle showing Russian military construction near the Finnish border, Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen (NCP) has stated.
“Together with our allies, we have a good ability to monitor how Russia develops its own armed forces. We know very well what Russia is doing, and this is what we are preparing for in our own defence as well,” Häkkänen told Yle in an interview on Wednesday afternoon.
Yle published the latest images on Wednesday morning, which revealed that the buildup of bases began last winter in a closed military town, across the border from Finnish Lapland.
The images appear to back up local Russian media reports that a military town is being built for a new artillery brigade and its personnel. Yle also believes that Russia is planning to station at least part of an engineer brigade at the site.
Finland, allies prepared:FM
Furthermore, the newly-obtained satellite images show changes at Russian military sites on the Karelian Isthmus, as new equipment can be seen at the Sapyornoye garrison, located in the area of the former Sakkola municipality.
Häkkänen noted that Finland and its allies have been prepared for this development, as Russia has been open about its intentions to strengthen its armed forces and build new military districts even in the region — even before Finland’s decision to join the Nato alliance.
“Russia is putting quite a lot of effort into this new reform of the armed forces, and we have been well aware of it. There is nothing surprising or dramatic about this, but we have to be prepared,” Häkkänen said, adding that Finland has an excellent ability to see what Russia is doing on a broad scale.
“That’s why we also communicate the need for defence resources all the time. We know what kind of threats we need to prepare for,” the minister said.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Five things to know about Canada’s plan to meet the NATO defence spending target, CBC News
Denmark: Denmark approves US military bases on Danish soil as Trump eyes Greenland, The Associated Press
Greenland: Europeans step up Arctic diplomacy amid U.S. and global pressure, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: US, Norwegian forces in Lapland for rapid reinforcement exercise, The Independent Barents Observer
Iceland: Iceland’s FM announces defence review, calls revamped security policy ‘urgent’, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Macron visits Greenland show European support for Arctic island coveted by Trump, Reuters
Russia: Drone attack on Russian warplanes, including in Arctic, serious blow to strategic arsenal, The Associated Press
Sweden: Nordic-Baltic region joins forces around Sweden’s CV90, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: White House releases U.S. Arctic strategy implementation plan, Eye on the Arctic
