Russia has transferred the majority of its troops and equipment, previously stationed near the Finnish border, to Ukraine. Despite russia’s threats of World War III to NATO countries, military bases close to Finland are now significantly less occupied than they were a year ago, Yle reports, citing an intelligence source.
Media highlights that satellite images reveal deserted bases that once housed russian military equipment. Moscow has redeployed 80% of its personnel to the war in Ukraine.
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Some russian bases now only have outdated equipment, and personnel numbers have dropped to as low as one-fifth, sometimes even less, with mainly instructors and recruits remaining while the contract soldiers have been sent to fight.
An anonymous Finnish intelligence representative stated that russia is “scraping up” its military personnel and equipment not just from the Finnish border but across the entire country, excluding the Moscow region. The most notable changes occurred at the Petrovsk technical base, where a new equipment hall was constructed in May. Additionally, satellite images indicate changes at the russian base near Petrozavodsk. Between June 2023 and May 2024, dozens of pieces of equipment have vanished from this base, and a new hangar has appeared.
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