- Category
- Latest news
Russia Expands Military Infrastructure Near Finland, Satellite Images Show
- Authors
![Photo of Liubava Petriv]( "Photo of Liubava Petriv")
Russia is expanding its military infrastructure near the border with Finland, according to a June 18 report by Finnish broadcaster Yle, citing recent satellite imagery.
The new construction is underway in Lupche-Savino, a district within the town of Kandalaksha in the Murmansk region. The work began over the winter and includes major land clearing, new building construction, and renovations of existing structures. The site is being developed into a garrison intended to host a new artillery brigade and engineering unit.
Local authorities say the Kandalaksha area is expected to house over 2,000 soldiers once construction is complete. The development is part of a broader effort by the Russian government to modernize military facilities, with a reported budget of 42 billion rubles (approx. $535 million) allocated for such projects.
Additional activity has been observed at the “Sapernoye” garrison on the Karelian Isthmus, where new military equipment—likely for engineering purposes—has arrived. This may be linked to the nearby “Kamyanka” garrison, where an existing brigade is reportedly being expanded into a division.
Meanwhile, in Petrozavodsk, Russia has increased military logistics efforts. Equipment stockpiles are growing, a railway brigade has been established, and an aviation division headquarters has been stationed there. The region is also home to the newly forming 44th Army Corps, which is expected to include up to 15,000 troops. Much of its equipment is being drawn from storage in Petrozavodsk.
The developments suggest a long-term military buildup in Russia’s northwest, though Russian authorities have not commented publicly on the specific purpose or timeline of these efforts.
Previously, it was reported that Russia has increased military activity near the Finnish border, following patterns observed ahead of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
