After Ukraine, is Finland next? Reports say Russia is amassing troops and building infrastructure on the border of Finland

Time of India

12-05-2025

What do the new satellite images show along the Finland-Russia border?
At Kamenka, just 35 miles from Finland, more than 130 military tents have been set up since February. These tents are believed to house up to 2,000 troops, a location that previously showed little to no infrastructure in 2022.
In Petrozavodsk, roughly 100 miles from the border, three large storage warehouses have been constructed. Experts believe these are meant for armoured vehicles, potentially holding around 50 units, with a fourth hall under construction.
Severomorsk-2, an airfield 110 miles from Finland and 70 miles from Norway, has also been reactivated after being previously closed. Helicopters are now visible along the runway in the latest satellite photos.
At the Olenya airbase, just 90 miles from Finland, Russia has already stationed long-range bombers that Kyiv says are being used in raids on Ukrainian targets.
Is this build-up linked to Finland joining NATO?
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How is NATO responding to Russia's military activity?
Could this lead to another full-scale war like Ukraine?
Why does this matter now more than ever?
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Russia's recent troop build-up along the Finnish border has raised serious alarms in NATO capitals, drawing stark comparisons to the early signs of the Ukraine invasion. Satellite images, troop tents, refurbished airbases, and new military warehouses are painting a picture that many in Europe hoped they wouldn't see again.This activity comes just a year after Finland officially joined NATO on April 4, 2023, extending the alliance's shared border with Russia by over 800 miles — a move that angered the Kremlin. Now, experts and officials are warning that Russia's response is no longer just rhetorical.According to Swedish broadcaster SVT, new satellite images from Planet Labs show significant Russian military activity at four key sites: Kamenka, Petrozavodsk, Severomorsk-2, and Olenya.Yes. This rapid military expansion closely follows Finland's NATO membership. When Finland and Sweden first applied to join the alliance, Russian officials warned of a 'military-technical response.' What we're seeing now appears to be exactly that.Swedish Chief of Defence Michael Claesson told SVT, 'When we applied for NATO membership, Russia said it would take such steps. We are now seeing that happen.'The concern is not just symbolic. In December 2023, Russia re-established the Leningrad Military District, an old Soviet-era command structure near Finland. This restructuring is widely seen as preparation for maintaining a stronger military footprint along the Finnish border.NATO has increased exercises and deployments in the region. One key operation, Exercise Lightning Strike, took place in November 2024 in Finland and involved multinational artillery teams, including Sweden. Heavy weapons like the MLRS M270 A2 and Archer self-propelled howitzers were used in the drills to showcase NATO's preparedness.Finland's Deputy Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Vesa Virtanen, recently warned that Russia is 'deliberately testing NATO's unity'. He stated that hybrid warfare tactics like cyberattacks and mass migration are already being used, and the military build-up is just the next step.Virtanen added, 'There were about 20,000 Russian soldiers and four standby brigades near our border before. Now they're building new infrastructure. We believe they are planning for up to five divisions, plus an army corps and support units.'That's the growing fear. The pattern is eerily similar. Back in November 2021, U.S. officials raised alarms about satellite images showing Russian forces massing near Ukraine. The Kremlin dismissed those warnings at the time. Just four months later, Putin invaded Ukraine.Fast forward to now — the playbook appears familiar.Russia insists it doesn't plan to attack. Putin himself has called the idea of attacking NATO members 'complete nonsense'. But other top Russian officials, like Dmitry Medvedev, have made thinly veiled nuclear threats, saying NATO's new members are now 'targets for retaliatory or even pre-emptive strikes'.Russia's former Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, also warned in May that the West's actions could trigger 'World War Three', especially if troops are deployed in Ukraine.Finland's move to join NATO was historic. For decades, it stayed neutral during the Cold War. Now, its inclusion in NATO has created a new front line. And Moscow isn't just watching — it's moving.Whether this ends in another large-scale war remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: Russia's military build-up near Finland is real, strategic, and escalating.As SVT's reporting shows, the tents, hangars, and airfields aren't just for show. NATO and its allies will now have to decide how to respond — not just with words, but with real readiness.Russia is reacting to Finland joining NATO by expanding troops and infrastructure near the border.Satellite images show new troop camps, airbase refurbishments, and armored vehicle warehouses near Finland.