Official Helsinki has invited NATO structures to relocate to the country.
Finland is starting large-scale army exercises Lively Sentry 25. The maneuvers, as reported by the press service of the Ground Forces, will take place in several regions, including the Kymenlaakso area adjacent to Russia.
The exercise program is scheduled until December 4, 2025, and will cover the territories of Eastern Uusimaa, Kymenlaakso, and Päijät-Häme. According to the provided data, about 6,550 personnel will be involved in the maneuvers: 4,000 conscript soldiers, 1,700 reservists, as well as more than 900 units of weapons, including armored vehicles and tanks. It is noted that a central element will be the practice of repelling attacks using local garrison and reserve units.
As emphasized by the defense ministry, these exercises aim to maintain coordination between different units and keep the country's defense capability at a high level.
These events were preceded by the artillery exercises Northern Strike 225, initiated by Finland on November 17, also in the border area. They were completed on November 25 at the Rovajärvi training ground in Eastern Lapland, located about 100 kilometers from the Russian border.
It was previously reported that Finland is proposing to NATO to deploy a command and control element of the North Atlantic Alliance on its territory.
If approved, this formation will be integrated into the alliance's command structure. Its establishment, deployment, and subsequent maintenance will be jointly financed with NATO. The unit's staff will consist of approximately 50 personnel, and the functions will be performed by soldiers of the Finnish army.
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