Russian troops on the Finnish border undergo significant changes

In early June, conscripts left for service in the Russian Navy in St. Petersburg. Major media

About 80% of the Russian Armed Forces’ equipment and soldiers have been transferred from the Finnish border to the fighting in Ukraine. A senior Finnish BroadCast Unitedligence source told the story Go to Il.

Since Finland joined the NATO military alliance, Russia has repeatedly threatened to strengthen its Western military circle. Vladimir Putin Threatened in a TV interview March.

However, the reality of the border guards seems to be different. Found in springRussian troops stationed on the Finnish border were already stationed there.

According to Il sources, in addition to the Moscow region, bases in other parts of Russia have also shrunk. In addition to conscripts, most of the garrisons are their trainers, because the contract soldiers have been sent to the front line.

The war has placed a particularly heavy burden on Russian ground forces.

– An BroadCast Unitedligence source told Yle that air defenses around St. Petersburg are still relatively strong.

Norwegian BroadCast Unitedligence agencies have also publicly estimated that the number of Russian ground forces in the northern part of the Kola Peninsula has dropped by 80% from before.

Visible in satellite imagery

These changes can also be partially seen in satellite images obtained by Yle. According to them, during the winter, the Petroskoy equipment depot, at least the area where the tanks were stored, was emptied. A large number of armored vehicles, artillery and other equipment were also transferred from Soju, located north of Petroskoy. On the other hand, more than 20 large transport aircraft of the landing force have disappeared from Pskov airport.

On the other hand, Petroskoi warehouse has also built a new equipment hall of 1,250 square meters. War equipment is repaired there. On the other hand, Karelia Kaukjärvi garrison recently built a tent village with more than a hundred tents.

– The camp is so large and located near a military camp that it could be a training and accommodation arrangement for a group recruited for the war, Military Expert, Major Marco Eklund Comments.

He said the duration of the re-equipment of troops stationed near the Finnish border would depend on how the war progresses and the impact of Western sanctions on the Russian arms industry. In addition, Russia must protect its borders with other countries it considers hostile.

Eklund estimates that it will take Russia at least several years to build a modern army.