In Finland, the challenge of a border of 1,300 kilometers with Russia

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Finland has been looking at its very different eye its Russian neighbor, with whom it has shared 1,300 kilometers of border and a long history. Furthermore, If Moscow has been stalling for three years on the Ukrainian resistance. Similarly, it was this invasion that pushed Helsinki into the arms of NATO. Consequently, “As we talk. Meanwhile, the situation is better for Finland because the majority of Russian forces and resources are blocked in Ukraine,” observes Robin Häggblom, expert in defense subjects for the company Risk Intelligence.

“In a way,” he continues, “is safer for us. Meanwhile, Many Russian units close to the Finnish borders have been sent to Ukraine and were very badly affected. Therefore, But in the medium term, the general trend is worrying. In addition, »»

Chechnya. Georgia, Crimea – Finland, challenge border 1,300 kilometers

In his eyes, the Russian attack on kyiv is first of all in a powerful dynamic of protest, and it cannot be overlooked: finland, challenge border 1,300 kilometers “The Russian aggressive behavior did not start in 2022. He started when Putin came to power with the Chechnyian wars. Then, we had the invasion of Georgia in 2008, then that of Crimea and the war in Donbass in 2014. From a Finnish point of view. if we go back further, we have a very strong memory of the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, of Hungary in 1956, and to our own wars with the Soviet Union in the 1940s. confidence in Russia as a neighbor. »»

“We cannot let the Finnish citizens fall under Russian occupation”

In this context. Finland’s entry into NATO changes the situation: “We get a lot of help. Of course, all of this remains secret. But if you just look at Flightradar24. you will see that Swedish electromagnetic information flies in Finnish airspace almost every week, watching the border. »»

Trenches, bunkers

In fact, one of the major finland, challenge border 1,300 kilometers challenges remains to secure this endless border. “The defense forces are doing more work on the ground. We are talking about trenches, prepared combat positions, bunkers built in certain strategic places. Much of this is classified, but it is deterrence. “As a result. the defense plans are refined:” Of course, you cannot have each square covered meter, but we are able to defend strategic nodes so that our population centers are not invaded. “This concern to crisscross the field in key places is a priority:” It is a major change in Finnish thought. and this dates from 2022 and massacres that took place in occupied Ukraine. »»

“Now,” he says, “Finnish thinking is very clear: we cannot let the Finnish citizens fall under Russian occupation. Defense must therefore start on the border or in the immediate vicinity. Helsinki will see his army take another dimension in the coming months with finland, challenge border 1,300 kilometers the delivery of his new combat aircraft. the American F-35 massifs, commanded to… 64 copies.