Satellite images show: Russia arming up near NATO border

The pictures have been verified by NATO sources as well as the Finnish Director-General of Defence Policy, Janne Kuusela.

What is happening?

New satellite images show Russia beefing up bases near the Finnish border, New York Times.

Tents, warehouses and shelters for fighter jets

According to NYT, the images alegedly show “rows and rows of tents and new warehouses, that can fit military vehicles”.

Additionally, a helicopter base, that has been left unused for a long time, is being renovated.

Images verified

The satellite pictures have been verified by unnamed NATO sources as wells as a number og Finnish sources, including the Director-General of Defence Policy, Janne Kuusela.

Threatening presence coming

According to NYT, Finnish authorities say that there is no immediate threat, but that they expect a threatening presence within the next five years.

NATO border

Finland became part of NATO about a year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Back then, the Russian reaction consisted only of words, no immediate military build up.

The words, however, was that there would be consequences.

160 km from Finland and Norway

According to The Moscow Times, the satellite imagery show Russian helicopters at a base near the city of Murmansk, 160 kilometres from the borders of Norway and Finland.

Alegedly, it’s the first time in 20 years that there have been helicopters at the base.

130 troop tents

Much closer to the Finnish border, about 65 kilometres, more than 130 of what appear to be troop tents appeared last year.

Long range bombers

There is also spotted a significant increase in military airfrafts at the Olenya air base south of Murmansk. The base is also known to be housing Russian long-range Tu-22 bombers.

Known precence

Russian military is not a new sight in the region. It is where Russias Northern Fleet is stationed.