Contents tagged with Finland
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Russian neo-Nazi Jan Petrovsky stands trial in Finland: denies charges of murder and torture of Ukrainian POWs
An extraordinary trial has commenced in the District Court of Helsinki, where Russian national Yan Petrovsky, who now calls himself Vojislav Torden, faces charges of five war crimes committed in eastern Ukraine in September 2014. Prosecutors are pressing for life imprisonment, reports the Finnish news agency Yle.
Torden's lawyer, Heikki Lampela, announced before the trial that Petrovsky-Torden would deny all charges of war crimes. "He confidently participates in this trial. He believes that …
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Finnish aluminum exports to Russia surge in 2024
According to Finnish customs data, during the first nine months of 2024, Finland exported aluminum worth $22.3 million to Russia, compared to just $11.3 million over the same period in 2023, broadcaster YLE reports.
This marks a twofold increase in aluminum exports to Russia. It's noted that the aluminum is either shipped via sea routes or transported through the Baltic countries. Presently, aluminum sales constitute the main category of Finnish exports to Russia. Finland houses three major …
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Lightning Strike-24: NATO's largest artillery exercises begin in Finland
In an event set to underscore NATO's military clout, the largest artillery exercises in Europe, dubbed Lightning Strike-24, commenced in Finland on Monday, November 4. They form part of the Dynamic Front-25 series, being conducted across five European nations—Finland, Estonia, Germany, Romania, and Poland—as reported by Finnish broadcaster Yle.
Scheduled to run across Rovajärvi and Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland until November 28, the exercises will feature approximately 3,600 military personnel, …
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Finland escalates efforts against Russian assets with major seizures in Helsinki and beyond
Finland has commenced the confiscation of Russian state assets, with the country's enforcement authorities seizing a plot belonging to the Russian Science and Culture Center in Helsinki. The operation, reported by Helsingin Sanomat, marks a significant escalation in Finnish actions against Russian properties.
Among the seized properties is the Russian Science and Culture Center situated in the Taka-Töölö district of Helsinki. Reports also highlight the confiscation of an office building in the …
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Finnish Border Guard permanently closes temporary border crossings with Russia amid migrant influx concerns
In a statement, the Finnish Border Guard announced the complete closure of the temporary border crossings "Parikkala" and "Inari" along the Russia-Finland border.
The Parikkala crossing ceased operations in 2022 due to Russian timber export restrictions, while the Inari crossing was closed in 2021. The necessary measures for closure will be implemented, including the removal of border crossing signs. Since mid-November 2023, Finland has been shutting down other checkpoints along the border …
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NATO to hold largest-ever artillery exercise 'Lightning Strike-24' in Finland this November
NATO will conduct its largest-ever artillery exercise in Finland from November 4 to 28, as reported by Yle.
The maneuvers, taking place at the Rovajärvi artillery range in Lapland, will involve up to 3,600 soldiers, including approximately 1,250 international troops. The exercises will involve personnel from the Finnish Army, Air Force, Border Guard, and numerous allied nations.
Participants will include soldiers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Estonia, Denmark, the Czech …
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Estonia and Finland plan to close Gulf of Finland to Russian ships
Tallinn and Helsinki are intensifying their cooperation in maritime defense, focusing on developing specific plans to completely shut off the Baltic Sea to Russian ships if necessary, reports Helsingin Sanomat, citing Estonian Defense Forces Commander Major General Andrus Merilo.
"Military cooperation between Finland and Estonia is increasingly centered on naval defense, and the goal is to come up with concrete plans on how the neighboring countries can close the Gulf of Finland to Russian …
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Finland to host two NATO headquarters as Sweden prepares to lead Advanced Land Forces
Finland is planning to establish two NATO headquarters within its borders, reports Yle, citing tentative plans that have yet to be approved.
The proposed NATO Land Command HQ for Northern Europe is expected to be situated in the city of Mikkeli, where both Finnish and foreign officers will operate. Additionally, the advanced NATO Land Forces HQ is anticipated to be located in northern Finland, potentially in Sodankylä or Rovaniemi.
Defense ministers from Sweden and Finland have announced that …
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Persistent GPS disruptions in Gulf of Finland linked to Russian jamming
Significant disruptions in GPS systems have been reported along the Gulf of Finland and in Eastern Finland since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reports Yle. The Finnish Coast Guard has informed that these issues are particularly frequent in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, near Kotka and Helsinki. Mariners have been advised to equip themselves with maritime charts and ensure they can navigate using traditional methods.
The interference has also disrupted commercial aviation …
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Finland to station up to 5,000 NATO troops near Russian border
In a strategic move to bolster its defense capabilities against external threats, Finland has agreed to station a NATO armored brigade on its soil. The new unit, consisting of 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers and officers, is being formed and will be based in the city of Mikkeli, near the Russian border, reports the Finnish news outlet Iltalehti, citing sources within the North Atlantic Alliance and security services.
"Finland's Defense Forces and the government have concluded that the presence of NATO …