Russia recently conducted military exercises resembling an attack on Finland, northern Norway, and the Baltic states, according to NATO sources cited by the Finnish publication Iltalehti.
The exercises suggest Moscow’s readiness to take significant risks, regardless of potential losses.
The relationship between NATO and Russia has grown increasingly tense, with military posturing and strategic maneuvers highlighting their adversarial stance.
Details of the Exercises
According to NATO insiders and Ziare, the Russian exercises simulated a large-scale operation involving tens of thousands of troops.
The plan reportedly encompassed multi-pronged attacks aimed at controlling air, sea, and land domains.
Northern Front: Russia's 14th Army Corps launched a simulated assault from Murmansk, targeting Norway’s coastline via land, air, and sea. Rapid troop landings aimed to seize strategic airports in Lapland, including Ivalo.
Southern Push: The 44th Army Corps focused on Finland’s southern coast and southeast regions, aiming to incapacitate Finland’s defenses and disrupt NATO's support for Estonia.
Baltic Targets: In the Baltic Sea, Russia’s Baltic Fleet and missile systems in Kaliningrad played key roles. Strikes on Sweden's Gotland island aimed to block NATO reinforcements.
The exercises also involved missile forces stationed in the Kola Peninsula targeting Finland, emphasizing Russia’s intent to create a buffer zone extending from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea.
Russia’s ambitions reportedly include reclaiming territories it considers historically significant, reflecting President Vladimir Putin’s statements about restoring "all historic lands."
These areas include parts of southeastern Finland and the Baltic states.
The exercises echo plans rehearsed during the 2017 Zapad military drills, which sources claim have not been abandoned but deferred until after the Ukraine conflict.
NATO officials regard these maneuvers as a direct threat. German intelligence head Bruno Kahl warned that by 2030, Russia might attempt a full-scale attack on NATO.
