Satellite pics show Putin on the march as Russia masses troops 35 miles from Nato border with 2k soldiers & helicopters
VLAD ON THE MOVE Satellite pics show Putin on the march as Russia masses troops 35 miles from Nato border with 2k soldiers & helicopters
SATELLITE images have revealed how Vladimir Putin is assembling Russian troops just 35 miles from the border with Finland.
The photos show increased military activity at four locations inside Russia - Kamenka, Petrozavodsk, Severomorsk-2, and Olenya.
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Satellite images show increased Russian military activity on the border with Finland
Credit: SVT
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The images are similar to images captured before Putin launched his war on Ukraine
Credit: SVT
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Satellite image taken on November 1, 2021 in the lead-up to the Russian invasion
Credit: AFP
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It is thought that Russia is building accommodation for troops and deploying helicopters and vehicles at the four military bases, according to analysts.
At Kamenka - just 37 miles from the Finnish border - more than 130 military tents have been put up since February.
The previously undeveloped area now looks as thought it could house up to 2,000 soldiers, according to SVT.
At Petrozavodsk - around 109 miles from the border - three large storage halls, capable of holding around 50 armoured vehicles each, have been built.
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It is thought that the new structures may be intended to conceal the true number of vehicles stationed there.
At Severomorsk-2 multiple helicopters can be seen at the base.
And at Olenya there has been further military activity, as Ukrainian sources have suggested the base is responsible for a number of attacks on Ukrainian targets.
The shocking images were obtained by Swedish broadcaster SVT from Planet Labs.
And the photos have a chilling resemblance to images captured before the Russian tyrant launched his war on Ukraine.
US officials raised the alarm after satellite images showing Russian troops massing on the border with Ukraine were revealed in November 2021.
Putin unleashes 100 drones on Ukraine after Zelensky calls his bluff
The Kremlin denied claims that they were preparing for war at the time.
But less than four months later Putin invaded Ukraine, sparking three long years of brutal conflict.
The increased military activity on the border with Finland comes after the arctic nation joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation two years ago.
Finland has historically been a neutral nation - acting under the influence of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991.
But after the Kremlin's brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 Finland pushed for Nato's backing - despite having defended itself alone for many years.
The arctic nation joined Nato in April 2023.
And Sweden also joined the alliance in March 2024.
What is Nato?
By Lydia Doye
NATO is an alliance of countries from Europe and North America which promises security for all its members.
The alliance was formed in 1949 in response to fears of Soviet expansion during the Cold War.
Nato now has 31 members including the United Kingdom, the United States, and France.
The most recent country to join Nato is Sweden, which became a member on March 7, 2024.
Finland joined the alliance in April 2023.
On a basic level, Nato operates on the principle that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
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Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, 18 November 2024
Credit: EPA
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Vladimir Putin, accompanied by military officers
Credit: Getty
In response, Putin declared it would take the "necessary measures" to counter the aggressive decisions of Finland and its NATO allies.
Russia has repeatedly accused Nato of acting as an aggressor and has vowed to defend itself by any means.
Last month Finland's Deputy Chief of Defence Lieutenant, General Vesa Virtanen, raised concerns over Russia's actions on the border.
He said that Russia is "deliberately testing NATO's unity" to see if it will trigger Article 5 - the alliance's collective defence clause.
Sweden's Chief of Defence Michael Claesson said: 'When we applied for NATO membership, Russia said it would take such steps.
"We are now seeing that happen.'
In response, Russia appears to have been preparing for war by ramping up its facilities on the border.
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