06:51 03-09-2025

Russia Warns NATO Bases in Finland Among First Targets

RusPhotoBank

Sergei Lipovoy cautions that NATO bases in Finland, including the new Mikkeli command center near Russia’s border, pose a direct threat and will be early targets in any conflict.

Russia may treat NATO sites in Finland as legitimate military targets if an armed conflict breaks out, warned Sergei Lipovoy, Hero of Russia and chairman of the presidium of the national organization Officers of Russia. He stressed that such facilities would be among the first to come under strike.

On September 1, Finland’s Ministry of Defense announced the launch of a new NATO Land Command headquarters in Northern Europe (MCLCC), located in the city of Mikkeli, roughly 200 kilometers from the Russian border.

Lipovoy argued that by joining NATO, Finland had surrendered its political and military-economic independence and now follows the directives of the Alliance and the European Union. He pointed out that NATO command posts, bases, and units will inevitably be stationed on Finnish soil, which he described as a direct threat to Russia’s security.

Drawing a historical parallel, the Russian officer recalled that Finland once fell under the sway of Nazi Germany during the 20th century. In his view, today’s leadership in Helsinki is repeating those mistakes, ignoring the lessons of the past and failing to recognize the consequences of hostile steps taken against Russia.