Russia is strengthening its military presence along the border with Finland, the Finnish national broadcasting company reports, citing recent satellite images, BTA reported.
According to the Finnish media, satellite images show construction work to build garrison premises for an artillery brigade in the city of Kandalaksha in the Murmansk region. The broadcaster notes that this is the first clear sign of a permanent increase in the number of troops near the border.
The authorities in the Murmansk region say that a new military town is being built and that old apartment blocks are being renovated in the settlement, which is located about 150 km from the border with Finland, DPA notes.
The Finnish broadcaster points out that satellite images show that there are also changes at other Russian military sites located near the Russian-Finnish border.
The Swedish National Television also recently reported that satellite images show how Russia is strengthening its military presence near the border with Finland.
The DPA notes that these Russian activities cannot, however, be compared with the preparations before the invasion of Russian forces into Ukraine in February 2022. In this sense, the newspaper also wrote. "New York Times", citing NATO sources.
The invasion of Ukraine led to the entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO after years of military neutrality.
The length of Finland's border with Russia is 1,340 km.