New satellite images indicate an increase in Russian military activity near the border with Finland. Analysts have recorded large-scale rearmament and restoration work at several Russian military bases, raising concerns among neighboring countries. According to Finnish military expert Emil Kastehelmi, the appearance of new armored vehicle storage facilities and tent camps points to growing Russian troop activity in the region, as reported by SVT.
Specifically, in Petrozavodsk, located 175 kilometers from the Finnish border, the Russian army has built three large warehouses, each capable of housing up to 50 armored vehicles, and as of April 27, 2025, construction of another facility is underway. The expert suggests this may be intended to conceal the exact number of vehicles.
Other military sites are also being revived and expanded. In Kamyanka, a tent camp capable of accommodating several thousand soldiers has been established. At the Severomorsk-2 base, previously decommissioned, active restoration is taking place, with helicopters visibly present. This base lies 180 kilometers from the Finnish border and 110 kilometers from Norway.
Additionally, at the Olenya airbase in the far north of the country, strategic bombers continue to carry out flights targeting Ukrainian positions, according to Ukrainian sources.
Sweden’s armed forces are closely monitoring the buildup of Russian military presence near their borders. After the summer of 2025, Sweden plans to deploy a military contingent to a new NATO forward command in Finnish Lapland. Swedish Army Commander-in-Chief Michael Claesson notes that the rise in Russian military activity is a direct implementation of previously declared military measures in response to Finland and Sweden joining NATO. He explains that Russia is expanding its military presence to increase its operational freedom in this strategically important region.
Thus, the latest satellite data obtained by SVT from Planet Labs PBC confirm that Russia is conducting large-scale rearmament and strengthening its military capabilities near the Finnish border. The analysis of satellite images from Kamyanka, Severomorsk-2, and Petrozavodsk, taken in early and late April 2025, and compared with earlier images, shows a clear enhancement of Russian military power in the region.
