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Russia is expanding part of its army to ready itself for a large-scale conflict with NATO, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has said.
Quick Facts
- Russia is expanding its military in response to Finland joining the NATO alliance.
- Newly formed Leningrad Military District is being expanded with missile brigade and air force and air defense army.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the expansion in December.
Russia is preparing for a large-scale conflict with NATO by expanding its military capabilities in response to Finland joining the NATO alliance. The newly formed Leningrad Military District is being expanded with a missile brigade and air force and air defense army. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced this expansion in December.
Russian Defense Ministry sources revealed that in Karelia, a republic in Russia’s north bordering Finland, a missile brigade with Iskander-M ballistic missile systems had been formed. Plans for a tank division are also under consideration. Additionally, a new air force and air defense army have been deployed in the region, consisting of regiments of fighters and bombers, as well as air defense units and radio engineering troops.
Former Russian Baltic Fleet commander Admiral Vladimir Valuyev stated that the expansion was in response to Helsinki’s accession to NATO and to strengthen Russia’s force posturing along its western flank. Valuyev emphasized the missile brigade’s role in dealing with tasks regarding NATO forces that pose a threat, particularly in response to the threat to regional security caused by Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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