Russia is methodically expanding its military infrastructure near the Finnish border, satellite imagery and defense experts say, in what appears to be a calculated shift in posture that could define Moscow’s military strategy in the wake of the Ukraine war. The buildup comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and NATO, following the entry of Finland and Sweden into the Western military alliance.
High-resolution satellite images obtained by Planet Labs and analyzed by Swedish broadcaster SVT show a noticeable uptick in construction and troop activity across several Russian military sites in close proximity to Finland, raising concerns among NATO allies that Russia is preparing for a longer-term military presence in the region.
The most active of the sites, Kamenka, sits roughly 35 miles from the Finnish border. As of February 2025, more than 130 military tents have appeared on the base, a significant increase suggesting the presence of up to 2,000 soldiers. The size and scale of the deployment has surprised many analysts, who note that Kamenka had seen limited activity in recent years.
Further north, near Petrozavodsk, three newly constructed storage facilities large enough to house approximately 50 armored vehicles each—have also appeared. Experts believe these structures are designed to support rapid mechanized deployments, possibly as part of a broader military logistics network aimed at fortifying Russia’s northwest corridor.
Also notable is the reactivation of Severomorsk-2, a Soviet-era airbase located on the Kola Peninsula, which had long been mothballed following the Cold War. Satellite photos from March show helicopters parked on its tarmac and signs of runway maintenance, suggesting the airfield is once again becoming operational. This has raised questions about Russia's intentions in the Arctic and its proximity to NATO’s northern flank.
In Olenya, another Russian military site long associated with strategic aviation, Ukrainian intelligence sources claim that the base is now being used to stage aerial attacks, including those targeting Ukraine. Though the claims remain unverified by independent observers, the activity supports a pattern of re-militarization that extends beyond Ukraine and deep into Russia’s northwest territories.
The Finnish government has remained measured in its response, though officials have acknowledged the military buildup and emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing within NATO. Sweden, too, has expressed unease, with Defense Minister Pål Jonson stating earlier this month that “Russia is sending signals that require careful analysis and coordinated deterrence.”
Military analysts suggest that the activity bears resemblance to Russia’s pre-invasion preparations ahead of its February 2022 assault on Ukraine. Then, too, Russia built up forces under the guise of training exercises, only to launch a full-scale invasion weeks later.
“This is not a spontaneous development. What we are seeing is a deliberate effort by Russia to re-establish a long-term military presence on NATO’s northeastern frontier,” said Johan Norberg, a defense researcher at the Swedish Defence Research Agency. “It’s part strategic deterrence, part political messaging.”
The timing of the buildup is telling. Russia has suffered considerable losses in Ukraine and is facing growing domestic pressure over the war’s human and economic toll. But its leadership remains resolute in resisting NATO’s expansion, which it views as a direct threat to its sphere of influence.
As Finland and Sweden deepen their integration into NATO’s command structure, observers believe Russia will continue to adapt its force posture along the northern border. What remains uncertain is whether the buildup is purely defensive or a prelude to a more aggressive strategy in the Baltics or Arctic regions.
For now, the tents, aircraft, and armored storage near Finland stand as a stark reminder that even as the war in Ukraine grinds on, the broader conflict between Russia and the West is entering a new, uncertain phase.
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