**Russia’s Suspected Airspace Violation in Finland: A Growing Concern**
Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires for questioning, following a suspected airspace violation on June 10. This incident marks the second such event within a month, raising concerns about Russian military activities along Finland’s border.
**A Threat to Finland’s Security**
Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Finland has applied for NATO membership and officially joined the alliance in 2023. The country perceives Russian aggression as a direct threat to its security due to their shared 1,340-kilometer (832 miles) border with Russia. Finland is also a staunch supporter of Ukraine, providing over €2.7 billion in military aid since 2022.
**Investigation Underway**
Finnish authorities suspect that a Russian military aircraft breached the country’s airspace near the coastal city of Porvoo on June 10. The Border Guard has launched an investigation into the incident. A diplomatic meeting is scheduled for June 11, but ministry officials have not disclosed specific details about the proceedings.
**Russia’s Military Buildup Along the Finnish Border**
The suspected airspace violation comes amid broader concerns about Russian military activities along Finland’s border. In May, Major General Sami Nurmi, head of the strategic department of Finland’s Defense Forces, indicated that the country anticipates further Russian military buildup along their shared border after the conclusion of the war in Ukraine.
**Western Intelligence Concerns**
Western media outlets have published satellite imagery showing Russia’s expansion of military installations near the Finnish border. The images revealed new military housing facilities and enlarged storage areas for military equipment. Finnish intelligence services assessed that Russia could strengthen its military presence along the Finnish border to a “threatening level” within the next five years.
**NATO Intelligence on Russian Plans**
NATO intelligence sources have told a Finnish newspaper that Russia is actively maintaining and updating plans for a potential multi-front offensive against NATO’s eastern flank, targeting Finland, Norway, and the Baltic states. Intelligence indicates that Russia could amass up to 600,000 troops along these borders despite its main forces being engaged in Ukraine.
Read More @ euromaidanpress.com
