Russia has begun constructing a new military base just 100 miles from the NATO border, marking the first such development near Finland's eastern frontier since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Recent aerial photographs reveal a dozen new barracks under construction, following the clearing of forestland that started in late 2025.
Base Capacity and Strategic Implications
Military expert and former Finnish intelligence officer Marko Eklund estimates the base could accommodate between 4,000 and 6,000 personnel. While the buildup of troops and infrastructure could pose a security issue for Finland, which shares an 830-mile border with Russia, Eklund noted that building a modern armed force requires significant time and investment.
Last summer, Metro visited the Russia-Finland border after the Finnish government closed the eastern border, accusing Russia of directing an influx of refugees into the country. Joel Linnainmäki, a research fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, told Metro that while there has been little activity since the border closure, Finland remains wary of Russian movements nearby.
Recent Developments Near the Border
In Kamenka, approximately 35 miles from Finnish territory, around 130 installations capable of housing 2,000 troops were established last year. Finland has responded by erecting a 10-foot fence topped with barbed wire along a large portion of its border with Russia to prevent illegal crossings.
Satellite images over the past two years show a significant increase in barracks, aircraft, and other infrastructure at four locations near the frontier. These sites could serve as a major staging ground for a potential Russian attack on NATO. Russia is slowly re-establishing the Leningrad military district for defensive purposes, though analysts suggest it could be used offensively in the future.
NATO Expansion and Russian Response
Russia has been bolstering its military presence since Sweden and Finland joined NATO years ago, a move prompted by Russian threats following its invasion of Ukraine. Finland's membership extended NATO's border with Russia by more than 800 miles. In response, Finland is strengthening its defenses, including setting up a new NATO forward command centre in Lapland.
Finland has warned that Russia has already employed hybrid warfare tactics, including massive cyberattacks and weaponised mass migration. The Finnish government closed the eastern border after accusing the Kremlin of facilitating the entry of around 1,300 people from Syria, Iraq, and Yemen in 2023. Russia has denied these allegations, and President Vladimir Putin has dismissed claims of a potential attack on Finland as total nonsense.
