NATO Begins Military Exercises Near Russian Border in Finland

NATO has begun military exercises in Finland near the Russian border, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. The exercises, which started on April 26, 2024, are seen by Russia as a confrontational action.

Zakharova stated that the NATO exercises are "confrontational in nature" and intended to "exert military pressure on the Russian Federation through a demonstration of force." She added that the maneuvers "increase the risks of possible military incidents" and accused NATO of "deliberately stirring up anxiety" about an alleged Russian threat to justify its own "hostile intentions."

The exercises, called "Arrow," are scheduled to run until May 14 in close proximity to the Russian border. They aim to "enhance collaboration between the Finnish Defense Forces and NATO allies" and will involve offensive combat simulations focused on enhancing collective operational effectiveness.

Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer land border with Russia, applied to join NATO in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The country, along with Sweden, abandoned its long-standing policy of neutrality in response to the conflict. Finland's NATO membership process is expected to be completed soon, making it a full participant in the coalition.

Russia has expressed concerns about NATO's military activities close to its borders, viewing them as a potential threat to its national security. In response to Finland's NATO membership, Russia has established a brigade equipped with Iskander-M ballistic missile systems in the Republic of Karelia, a region bordering Finland.

The NATO exercises in Finland are part of the larger "Steadfast Defender 2024" maneuvers, which will involve over 90,000 troops from all 32 NATO member countries. The strengthened defense cooperation among NATO members comes as the UK and Germany have committed to closer defence ties and increased defence spending.

Why this matters: The NATO military exercises near the Russian border in Finland highlight the escalating tensions between the Western alliance and Russia. As Finland completes its NATO accession process, the geopolitical landscape in the region continues to shift, with potential implications for regional stability and international relations.

Zakharova warned that Russia is prepared to take "all necessary political and military-technical measures" to counter any threats to its national defence capabilities. The Russian Defense Ministry also reported that its anti-aircraft defences shot down eight Ukrainian drones over four Russian regions, resulting in casualties and fires at civilian energy and fuel facilities.

Key Takeaways

• NATO held military exercises near the Russian border in Finland, seen as confrontational.
• Exercises aim to enhance collaboration between Finnish forces and NATO allies.
• Finland abandoned neutrality and applied to join NATO after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Russia established a brigade with ballistic missiles near Finland in response to NATO.
• Tensions escalate as Finland completes NATO accession, with potential regional implications.