Russia's leader, Putin, has commanded construction of border defenses against Finland.
In a significant geopolitical shift, Finland joined NATO in spring 2023, extending NATO's border with Russia by over 1300 kilometers. This move was followed by Sweden's NATO membership in spring 2024, further increasing the length of NATO's border with Russia.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, initially justified the attack on Ukraine as necessary to prevent NATO expansion. However, he later stated that Finland and Sweden's entry into the alliance was not considered a serious threat by Moscow.
The opening of the NATO Regional Command Headquarters for Land Forces in Mikkeli, Finland, on September 1, 2023, came after Finland's accession to NATO. The headquarters, located just 140 kilometers from the Russian border, will manage NATO's land forces in the northern region, coordinate national armies' actions, and plan joint exercises and operations. The initial number of officers at the headquarters is around ten, with plans to increase to 50.
The headquarters is under the command of NATO's "Norfolk" (USA). The strengthening of the border is in response to Finland's accession to NATO. Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, announced plans to strengthen Russia's border with Finland, citing an increase in military activity near Russia's border, specifically in the Baltic countries, Poland, and Norway.
Medvedev also noted the need for fortification equipment in the regions to strengthen the border and mentioned the construction of fortification structures in border regions as part of the plans to strengthen Russia's border. He commented on a Paris meeting of a "coalition of the willing" regarding ensuring security for Ukraine, dismissing its decisions as "bullshit."
Medvedev's comments suggest a heightened military tension in the region due to Finland's NATO membership. Putin's statement about Finland and Sweden's entry into NATO was: "Let them, if they want." The change in approach to border reinforcement is due to the perceived need to enhance the reliability of Russia's state border protection.
The building permit for strengthening the Russian border in the Swedish border area was issued in 2018. Medvedev's statements were reported by The Moscow Times. The strengthening of the border is a response to the perceived threat posed by NATO's expansion and the increased military presence in the region.
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