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Russia Is Increasing Its Nuclear Presence Along Finland’s NATO Border
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia is strengthening its strategic and nuclear posture in the Arctic and expanding military infrastructure along the border with Finland, according to Euronews on February 16, citing Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen.
Speaking to Euronews on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Häkkänen said the Arctic is “critical” to European defense and warned that Moscow is concentrating key strategic capabilities in the region.
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“Russia has most of their biggest strategic capabilities in nuclear, submarines, long-range bombers in the Kola Peninsula area,” Häkkänen told Euronews. He added: “They are building new military facilities along our border, same as the Cold War. It would be wise to watch the Arctic and build Arctic capabilities.”
According to Euronews, the Kola Peninsula—a roughly 100,000 square kilometre region in northwestern Russia—hosts the majority of Russia’s sea-based strategic nuclear arsenal, including submarines, as well as long-range aviation assets. Häkkänen described the area as central to Moscow’s strategic posture.
Finland, which joined NATO after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, supports renewed allied planning in the High North. As reported by Euronews, Häkkänen pointed to NATO’s enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry and said Finland’s armed forces are “fully Arctic” and ready to share their expertise with allies to strengthen deterrence in the region.
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The minister also addressed Europe’s defense financing and capability development. Finland is among 19 EU member states participating in the bloc’s €150 billion defense loan scheme.
According to Euronews, Helsinki requested €1 billion under the programme, with final approval expected from EU economy ministers this week. Häkkänen said “a big part” of the funding would be directed to land forces, including armoured vehicles and drones.
Finland launched a broader reform of its land defense in 2025, aiming to enhance strike capabilities, modernise infrastructure, expand unmanned systems, and improve material self-sufficiency in emergency conditions, Euronews reported.
Häkkänen also commented on the role of the United States in European security. While discussions about strengthening the European pillar of NATO have intensified, he said Washington remains essential in the short term.
“In the longer term, it would be better that the Europeans have their strong capabilities. But in the short, and even mid-term, we need the US. It’s crucial to European security,” he told Euronews.
He added that proposals from France and the United Kingdom to extend their nuclear deterrent to other European states are “good news” but “should not be seen as compensation for the US nuclear umbrella.” “That’s not the question now,” Häkkänen said, according to Euronews.
Earlier, according to The New York Times on February 11, NATO launched the “Arctic Sentry” mission to increase troop deployments and maritime patrols in the High North amid growing Russian activity. UK Defense Secretary John Healey said Britain will double its troop presence in Norway to 2,000, calling Russia “the greatest threat to Arctic and High North security that we have seen since the Cold War.”
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