Media: Russia builds up infrastructure near Europe's border to deploy over 100,000 troops

A joint investigation by several Nordic and Baltic media outlets has found that Russia is expanding military infrastructure near its borders to accommodate tens of thousands of additional troops.

Journalists from Sweden's SVT, Norway's NRK, Denmark's DR and Estonia's Delfi have analysed satellite imagery of Russian military facilities near European borders and found extensive construction activity at several locations.

The images reveal numerous new barracks capable of housing thousands of troops as well as ammunition depots and equipment storage sites.

New barracks and clusters of military equipment have been identified in Pechenga, around 10 km from the Norwegian border in Lapland. Similar developments are underway in Petrozavodsk near the Finnish border. Equipment is also being amassed in Sapernoye near Finland, Luga in Pskov Oblast and Baltiysk in Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast.

A new military infrastructure complex is under construction in Kirillovskoye, around 70 km from the Finnish border, while an existing base in Kandalaksha on the White Sea is being expanded.

As part of the investigation, the journalists also interviewed security officials and military experts.

According to Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki, Commander of the Finnish Army, Russia's expanded infrastructure could eventually accommodate around 80,000 troops near Finland's border, compared with approximately 20,000 previously.

The base in Pechenga alone is expected to be capable of housing up to 17,000 troops after expansion, up from its current capacity of 7,000.

Overall, the new and expanded facilities could allow Russia to station up to 115,000 personnel along its borders with Northern Europe and the Baltic region.

Thomas Nilsson, head of Sweden's Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST), said the developments represent a threat that should be taken seriously, adding that his agency does not believe the military build-up is merely for show, but rather aimed at preparing capabilities for a future large-scale confrontation with NATO.

Russian forces are believed to be planning to be stationed at these facilities after the active phase of the war against Ukraine ends.

Major General Brian Nissen, commander of NATO forces in the Baltic states and Poland, said that as long as Russia remains tied down in Ukraine, the immediate military threat is low, but warned that the situation could change rapidly if there is a pause in the fighting.

Norway's Chief of Defence, Eirik Kristoffersen, said that if Russia is building up its forces to the levels it has announced – as satellite imagery appears to indicate – the military threat to Norway will increase.

Earlier this year, the United Kingdom announced plans to double the number of its troops stationed in Norway to counter the Russian threat in the Arctic.

On 11 February, Norway's chief of defence said he had not ruled out a future Russian attack and that the country was preparing for this scenario.