Russia's military building up at Finland's border over potential NATO clash

Russia is expanding its military infrastructure near the border with Finland in what experts and officials say could be a preparation for a potential clash with NATO, the Wall Street Journal reported on April 28.

These efforts include expanding military bases near the Russian city of Petrozavodsk, around 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of Finland, the planned site for a new headquarters that could potentially command tens of thousands of troops, the outlet wrote.

Western military and intelligence officials are reportedly warning that these units could form the "backbone" of Russia's forces preparing to confront NATO.

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Russia's military building up at Finland's border over potential NATO clash, WSJ reports

These efforts include expanding military bases near the Russian city of Petrozavodsk, around 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of Finland, the planned site for a new headquarters that could potentially command tens of thousands of troops, the Wall Street Journal wrote.

kyivindependent.com

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

The Finns remember WWII and have acted on the lessons learned in military readiness, infrastructure, etc.
The Cold War never ended, especially for Finland.

Poor reindeer

 

[Margery]

The Finns remember WWII and have acted on the lessons learned in military readiness, infrastructure, etc.
The Cold War never ended, especially for Finland.

Poor reindeer

Yup, the White Death was very hard on Russia's troops. That was the name for the Finnish resistance. They ceded some land to Russia but escaped with their sovereignty. The Finns won't let them off lightly this time either if Russia wants to play games. They are better at winter than even Russia is. But Finland knows the cost they'll pay- they are a much smaller nation, less population, any losses will be deeply felt.

The Scandis have always been super cautious of irritating the Russians - keeping peace in the neighbourhood was essential especially when the Baltics were part of the USSR. That is why it took Sweden and Finland so long to be part of NATO. Even when Poland broke free and joined NATO.

I think the Russians want a clear corridor to the Baltics and their little patch of ground called Kalliningrad there surrounded by Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. 4 NATO troops died there recently- found drowned in a Lithuanian peat bog, during NATO training exercises. Just over the border from the Russian puppet state of Belarus.

Long before Russia invaded Ukraine, they announced their intent to take back the Baltics and establish a clear Russian corridor to Kalliningrad. I figured back then it wouldn't take them long to knock off Ukraine from their to do list, and the Baltics were next.

That was before Sweden and Finland joined NATO and before Russia bogged down in Ukraine.

Russia may be looking at future projects after the Ukraine "special operation" is wrapped up.

There is a reason Europe is twitchy about the need for a standing army to protect against Russia. It's causing them to move on something that looks a lot like Rome 2.0 rising again out of Europe.