Russian forces have been reinforcing their military presence near the Finnish border, suggesting potential strategies for the aftermath of the Ukraine conflict. Recent satellite imagery, verified by NATO officials, reveals new tents, warehouses for military vehicles, upgrades to fighter jet shelters, and construction activity at a previously underutilized helicopter base.
While the current build-up is not comparable to the pre-invasion buildup along the Ukraine border, NATO officials suggest this could be the start of a more extensive, long-term expansion. Finland, which joined NATO two years ago, is now the Western alliance’s longest line of contact with Russia and military analysts predict this region could become a hotspot, particularly considering its location in the increasingly contested Arctic Circle.
American and Finnish troops recently conducted an Arctic war game in the region, with Russia as the presumed enemy. Finnish defense officials anticipate that once the Ukraine war’s high-intensity phase ends, Russia will redeploy thousands of troops to the Finnish border. Finland expects a buildup to threatening levels within five years, with the number of Russian troops tripling.
From Moscow’s perspective, Russia needs to bolster its defenses against NATO expansion, which has long been a contentious issue. The Baltic nations’ membership in NATO brought substantial stretches of Russia’s border into direct contact with NATO territories. The prospect of Ukraine, a larger former Soviet republic, joining NATO was also threatening to Moscow. Russia is set to prioritize areas facing NATO post-war.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/world/europe/russia-beefs-up-forces-near-finlands-border.html
