Contents tagged with Finland
-
Finland to host two NATO headquarters as Sweden prepares to lead Advanced Land Forces
Finland is planning to establish two NATO headquarters within its borders, reports Yle, citing tentative plans that have yet to be approved.
The proposed NATO Land Command HQ for Northern Europe is expected to be situated in the city of Mikkeli, where both Finnish and foreign officers will operate. Additionally, the advanced NATO Land Forces HQ is anticipated to be located in northern Finland, potentially in Sodankylä or Rovaniemi.
Defense ministers from Sweden and Finland have announced that …
-
Persistent GPS disruptions in Gulf of Finland linked to Russian jamming
Significant disruptions in GPS systems have been reported along the Gulf of Finland and in Eastern Finland since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reports Yle. The Finnish Coast Guard has informed that these issues are particularly frequent in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, near Kotka and Helsinki. Mariners have been advised to equip themselves with maritime charts and ensure they can navigate using traditional methods.
The interference has also disrupted commercial aviation …
-
Finland to station up to 5,000 NATO troops near Russian border
In a strategic move to bolster its defense capabilities against external threats, Finland has agreed to station a NATO armored brigade on its soil. The new unit, consisting of 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers and officers, is being formed and will be based in the city of Mikkeli, near the Russian border, reports the Finnish news outlet Iltalehti, citing sources within the North Atlantic Alliance and security services.
"Finland's Defense Forces and the government have concluded that the presence of NATO …
-
Finland grants US access to 15 military bases in strategic defense pact
The Finnish Parliament has approved the defence cooperation agreement and granted the US access to 15 military sites, as reported by the state broadcaster Yle.
The agreement pertains to the use of four airbases, a military port, and a railway in northern Finland. It also includes provisions for the storage of military equipment.
Under the terms of the agreement, the US is allowed to deploy its military personnel and equipment at the designated locations. Finnish authorities will ensure the …
-
Russia relocates 80% of troops from Finland border to Ukraine
Published satellite images reveal empty bases previously hosting Russian military equipment and personnel. Finnish news outlet Yle reports significant movement of Russian forces from the Finland border to Ukraine.
Finnish intelligence confirms that up to 80% of the troops have relocated. The satellite images, revealed by Finnish journalists, show nearly deserted garrisons and military bases of Russian ground forces near the Finland border.
Only obsolete equipment remains at some bases, and …
-
Finland approves use of its weapons by Ukrainian Forces against targets in Russia
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen announced that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are allowed to strike targets on Russian territory using Finnish weapons. She clarified in an interview with the newspaper Uusi Suomi that Ukraine is engaged in a defensive, and therefore, it has the right to target military objects in the aggressor nation for self-defense. The government in Helsinki has not placed specific restrictions on the use of the assistance provided but expects Ukraine to use these weapons …
-
Russia unilaterally redraws Baltic Sea borders with Finland and Lithuania
Moscow Times, citing a draft government decree published on the legal acts portal, has reported Russia's decision to unilaterally alter its maritime boundaries with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea.
The Russian Defence Ministry has prepared a document declaring parts of the eastern Gulf of Finland and areas near the cities of Baltiysk and Zelenogradsk in the Kaliningrad region as Russia's internal maritime waters.
This will involve changing the geographical coordinates of points used …
-
Finland's defense minister calls for increased Western support for Ukraine
Finland's Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen from the National Coalition Party has urged the West to bolster its support for Ukraine. He stated that Europe has not fully comprehended the gravity of the war through a historical lens and has not provided Ukraine with sufficient assistance, reports Yle.
"Funding for military support in Ukraine must be found immediately," Kaikkonen said.
The Finnish Defence Minister also emphasized the significance of increasing the European Union's own weapons …
-
Media: Finnish companies continue exporting defense-related components to Russia despite sanctions
Russia continues to receive components and equipment that are used in its defence industry from Finland, an investigation by the public broadcaster Yle has revealed.
Around 20 companies that exported components potentially used in the defence industry to Russia were uncovered by journalists. The report points to small logistics firms with Russian-linked owners and offices predominantly located in tiny spaces in the southeast part of the country, near major logistics hubs.
One company supplied …
-
Finland prepares to shut last operating border crossings with Russia over migrant concerns
On Tuesday, November 22, Finland may close the remaining border crossing points that are still operating on the land border with Russia, reported the Finnish newspaper IltaLehti. According to the newspaper, the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo may make a decision on Monday that all crossing points on the land border with Russia will be closed on Tuesday night.
Based on the available intelligence, the Finnish government made an assessment that the Russian authorities are involved in …