According to a WSJ report, Russia is significantly expanding its military bases and infrastructure near the Finnish border, particularly around the city of Petrozavodsk, about 160 km east of Finland. This expansion includes building a new army headquarters intended to command tens of thousands of troops in the coming years. Russia is also upgrading barracks, arsenals, training grounds, and railway infrastructure to support the increased troop presence, including constructing new rail lines near the borders with Finland, Estonia, and Norway.
Western military and intelligence officials view this buildup as preparation for a potential confrontation with NATO, especially since Finland joined NATO in 2023. Finland is responding by strengthening its border defenses with electronic systems and barbed wire fencing. Experts warn that when Russian troops currently engaged in Ukraine return, they could be positioned facing Finland, indicating heightened tensions and risk of conflict in the region.
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