Russia is building a new military garrison in northwestern Kandalaksha city near the border with Finland as continuation of its efforts to boost its presence on NATO’s eastern flank. The garrison built in military town of Lupche-Savino lies 110 kilometers from the Finnish border.
Satellite imagery circulated in Finnish media suggest that the Kremlin has been carrying out excavation and construction work in the closed military town of Lupche-Savino, part of Kandalaksha in Murmansk region. According to military experts, the construction work illustrates the transition to permanently reinforcing Russian forces along the Nordic country of Finland.
Local authorities in Murmansk region have revealed that Lupche-Savino was being constructed for an artillery brigade. The construction work there included demolition of old buildings, clearance of 1.4 kilometers of forest and completion of new structures over the winter. Finnish public broadcaster Yle quoted military expert Marko Eklund as saying that Russia’s military reinforcement in Lupche-Savino was not likely linked to its ongoing war to Ukraine. “If the sole purpose was to send the troops to Ukraine, there would of course be no need for such infrastructure there," Eklund stated.
Commenting on satellite images proving Russia’s military buildup in Kandalaksha ciy, Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said there is “nothing surprising” about it, adding that “Together with our allies, we have a good ability to monitor how Russia develops its own armed forces.” Meanwhile, according to Russian media reports, the Kremlin has allocated around €460 million for or renovating military towns in northwestern Murmansk region, including the site in question.
Finland along with Sweden joined NATO in Sweden, joined NATO in March 2024, escalating tension with Russia. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned last week that Russia could be ready to attack NATO within five years.
