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By Brendan Cole
Senior Reporter
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Satellite imagery has revealed an increase in Russia's military activity near its border with Finland signaling its intention to beef up its troops by NATO's eastern flank.
The pictures from earth imaging company Planet Labs PBC show increased accommodation, aircraft deployment, and infrastructure construction at four military bases near the country.
Finnish military analyst Emil Kastehelmi said if Russia follows it current plans, there could be tens of thousands new soldiers near the borders of Norway, Finland and the Baltic countries in the coming years.
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When contacted by Newsweek, a spokesperson for the Finnish defense forces for comment said they "won't comment or speculate on operative observations.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
Finland shares an 830-mile border with Russia and after decades of neutrality, joined NATO in 2023 in response to the ructions to Europe's security caused by Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Rhetoric from the Trump administration about drawing down the U.S. presence in Europe dovetails with increasing concerns about the threat that Moscow poses the continent after the end of the Ukraine war.
Members of NATO's eastern flank have said Russia has stepped up its hybrid activity in the region and the build-up of Russia's military by Finland will add to those concerns.
What To Know
The images from Planet Labs show how Russia is strengthening its military infrastructure near the Finnish border at four Russian locations; Kamenka on the Karelian Isthmus, Petrozavodsk, Severomorsk-2, and Olenya.
Comparing images taken at Kamenka, on May 14, 2022 and February 4, 2025, over 130 military tents can be seen been erected in the last three years at the site, which is located about 40 miles from the Finnish border.
Media outlets in Finland and Sweden have also reported about how the satellite imagery shows an increased Russian military presence near NATO's two newest members.
In Petrozavodsk, 110 miles from the border, three storage halls have been constructed which can each hold dozens of armored vehicles, with four facilities under construction.
The closed Severomorsk-2 air base 120 miles from the Finnish border appears to be under renovation and houses helicopters, according to satellite images from Google Maps, cited by Swedish outlet SVT.
Further activity was noted at Olenya airbase, from where Ukrainian sources say Russia flies strategic bombers used in attacks on Ukraine.
Emil Kastehelmi, from the Finland-based OSINT analysts Black Bird Group told Newsweek that some of the changes in Russia's military infrastructure by the border are linked to pre-existing plans, but others are in response to the stronger NATO presence in the area, following the accession of Finland and Sweden.
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Sweden's Supreme Commander Michael Claesson told SVT that the build-up shows Russia fulfilling what it previously said it was planning in response to Stockholm's NATO membership.
Kastehelmi said it is not the kind of buildup where large amounts of units are transferred into an area such as what preceded the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The most significant changes are happening at the organizational level as Russia looks to expand brigades near Finland into divisions and bring a new army corps to Finland's neighboring regions.
However, Kastehelmi believes if Russia follows its current plans, it could have tens of thousands new soldiers near the borders of Norway, Finland and the Baltic countries in the coming years, with future infrastructure projects likely to start in Karelia and Petsamo.
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What People Are Saying
Emil Kastehelmi, from Finland-based OSINT analysts Black Bird Group: "If the Russians follow their current plans, there can be tens of thousands new soldiers near the borders of Norway, Finland and the Baltic countries in the coming years."
Sweden's Supreme Commander Michael Claesson to SVT, according to a translation: "When we applied for NATO, Russia said it would take military-technical measures—here I see a direct connection, that's what they are doing."
What Happens Next
Russia is likely to increase its military presence by Finland although Kastehelmi said that there are no fears in Helsinki just yet as it has prepared for scenarios of Moscow's threat since before the war in Ukraine.
"Continuous development and preparation work is underway, which boosts the deterrence of Finland and the whole northeastern flank of NATO," he said.
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