Russia building up military presence near Finland: satellites detect large-scale construction
Russia has begun construction of a new military base near the border with Finland. The project involves a garrison in the village of Novaya Vilga near Petrozavodsk, which could become the first entirely new military town built in russia since the Soviet era.
According to Yle, citing an analysis of satellite images and former Finnish military intelligence officer Marko Eklund, active work on the site has been underway since spring 2026. About ten large barracks are already being built on the site, and a headquarters and parade ground are also being constructed.
According to the expert, the first signs of site preparation appeared as early as the fall of 2025, when trees began to be cut down on the site. Earthwork began in the winter, after which the pace of construction accelerated significantly.
Eklund notes that the size of the barracks corresponds to typical russian military construction. He estimates that the new base will be able to accommodate between 4,000 and 6,000 military personnel. It could house a motorized rifle brigade or key units of a new motorized rifle division, which russia is forming in Karelia.
In late May 2026, russian authorities officially confirmed the construction. During an inspection by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Fradkov, it was reported that more than 50 facilities are planned for the garrison, including residential buildings for military families and sports infrastructure.
At the same time, Marko Eklund emphasizes that while the buildup of military forces near NATO’s borders is cause for concern, the threat is not immediate. According to him, creating a fully combat-ready force requires building infrastructure, equipping units with equipment, staffing them with personnel, and training the troops.
The expert also noted that a full-scale war against Ukraine currently limits russia’s ability to rapidly reinforce other fronts.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that russia is capable of attacking one of the NATO countries in the short term.