NATO and Finland Hold Major Military Exercises Near Russian Border
NATO conducted the 'Northern Star' and 'Karelian Sword' military exercises in eastern and southeastern Finland, near the Russian border. Involving over 15,000 troops from Finland, the US, UK, Poland, France, Italy, and Hungary, the drills tested defensive capabilities against potential Russian aggression. The exercises utilized Leopard tanks, Chinook helicopters, and focused on Finland's conscription system and challenging Arctic terrain. These are among the largest NATO maneuvers in Finland since its 2023 accession.
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British Troops Test Drone-Centric Tactics Near Russian Border in Finland
British soldiers from 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, are participating in Exercise Northern Star in Finland, approximately 43 miles from the Russian border. The exercise, which involves around 4,500 troops from NATO countries including France, Hungary, and the US, focuses on testing the British Army's new drone-centric infantry concept. The battalion, re-designated as a Near Surface Infantry Battalion, is evaluating two key drone systems: Ghost, an autonomous reconnaissance aircraft, and Bolt, a single-use kamikaze drone. Soldiers also use the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) for enhanced situational awareness. Commanders highlight that the integration of these systems increases lethality and survivability by enabling remote target engagement. The exercise follows Finland's 2023 NATO accession and aims to strengthen allied interoperability in challenging Nordic terrain.
UK Defence JournalBritish Troops Test Drone-Centric Warfare Tactics Near Russian Border in Finland
British soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, are participating in Exercise Northern Star in Finland, approximately 43 miles from the Russian border. The exercise involves around 4,500 NATO troops from countries including France, Hungary, and the United States. The British battalion is testing its new drone-centric infantry concept, utilizing two key systems: Ghost, an autonomous reconnaissance drone, and Bolt, a one-way attack drone. The exercise aims to enhance NATO interoperability with Finland, which joined the alliance in 2023, and to develop tactics for the challenging Nordic terrain. Commanders emphasized that the drone pairing increases lethality and survivability by allowing soldiers to engage targets at greater distances without direct exposure. Troops are also equipped with the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) for real-time situational awareness.
UK Defence JournalBritish troops test killer drones 43 miles from Russia in Finland exercise
British infantry soldiers from 3 Rifles battalion are training 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the Russian border in Finland as part of Exercise Northern Star, a NATO exercise involving approximately 4,500 troops from the UK, Finland, France, Hungary, and the USA. The exercise focuses on integrating autonomous drones into infantry tactics, specifically using Ghost reconnaissance drones and Bolt loitering munitions linked via ATAK digital systems. This marks a shift to the British Army's new Near Surface Infantry Battalion concept, which places drones at the center of combat operations. Finland's Kainuu Brigade hosts the training, leveraging its decades of experience preparing for warfare in dense boreal forests and extreme cold. The exercise follows Finland's NATO accession in April 2023, which more than doubled the alliance's land border with Russia to over 2,555 km. Lieutenant Colonel Tom Redon emphasized the strategic importance of the location and the goal of increasing lethality to engage enemies further away and faster.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsKarelian Sword: Finland’s Strategic Answer to Russia
Finland concluded the 'Karelian Sword' military exercises in southeastern Finland, involving approximately 10,000 soldiers including conscripts, reservists, and professionals. The drills focused on defending against potential Russian aggression, testing Finland's extensive conscription system and reserve mobilization capabilities. Colonel Ari Maatta, commander of the Karelian Brigade, emphasized the strategic necessity due to Finland's 1,200 km border with Russia. The exercises included troops from the UK and US, and occurred alongside the multinational 'Northern Star' maneuvers. The article highlights Finland's high societal support for conscription and the tactical advantages of its forested, lake-dense terrain, referencing the Winter War's defensive successes.
Defence24.comKarelian Sword: Finland’s strategic answer to Russia
Finland concluded the 'Karelian Sword' military exercises in southeastern Finland, involving approximately 10,000 soldiers including conscripts, reservists, and professional troops. The maneuvers, led by Colonel Ari Määttä of the Karelian Brigade, focused on defending against potential Russian aggression and testing Finland's extensive conscription and reserve system. The exercises included units from the Finnish Army, Border Guard, and soldiers from the United States and United Kingdom. The region's heavily forested and marshy terrain favored smaller, mobile units familiar with the environment, echoing tactics from the Winter War. Colonel Määttä emphasized Finland's 1,200 km border with Russia as the reason for maintaining mandatory military service. The exercises ran parallel to the 'Northern Star' maneuvers involving allied nations.
Defence24.comKarelian Sword: Finland’s Strategic Military Exercises Against Potential Russian Aggression
Finland concluded the 'Karelian Sword' military maneuvers in southeastern Finland, involving approximately 10,000 soldiers including conscripts, reservists, and professional troops. The exercises, led by Colonel Ari Määttä of the Karelian Brigade, focused on defending against potential Russian aggression and testing Finland's extensive conscription and reserve system. Finland maintains mandatory military service for men and voluntary service for women, with a large mobilization capability due to its 1,200 km border with Russia. The maneuvers took place in the forested, lake-dotted Karelia region, emphasizing small mobile units familiar with the terrain. US and UK forces participated, including a Virginia Army National Guard engineering company and a combat helicopter detachment. Parallel 'Northern Star' exercises also occurred on Finnish territory with allied nations. Colonel Määttä stated Finland is already prepared for a potential conflict with Russia, citing historical lessons from the Winter War.
Defence24.comNATO Holds 'Northern Star' Military Exercises Near Russian Border in Finland
NATO is conducting large-scale military exercises in Finland, approximately 30-40 km from the Russian border. The 'Northern Star' maneuvers, part of the broader U.S.-led 'Sword 26' exercises, involve over 5,000 soldiers from Finland, Poland, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Hungary, and the United States. The exercises are taking place in challenging terrain east of Kajaani, characterized by bogs and swamps in summer and extreme cold in winter. Finnish Brigadier General Ari Laaksonen commands the exercises, which utilize Leopard tanks and American Chinook helicopters. The broader 'Sword 26' exercises involve approximately 15,500 soldiers and 1,100 pieces of military equipment, focusing on NATO's northeastern flank. These are among the largest NATO maneuvers in Finland since its accession to the Alliance in 2023.
Defence24.comNATO Holds 'Northern Star' Military Exercises Near Russian Border in Finland
NATO is conducting the 'Northern Star' military exercises in eastern Finland, approximately 30-40 kilometers from the Russian border. The maneuvers involve over 5,000 soldiers from Finland, Poland, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Hungary, and the United States, operating in challenging Arctic-like terrain near Kajaani. The exercises, commanded by Finnish Brigadier General Ari Laaksonen, utilize Leopard tanks and American Chinook helicopters. 'Northern Star' is part of the larger U.S.-led 'Sword 26' maneuvers, which involve approximately 15,500 soldiers and 1,100 pieces of military equipment, focusing on NATO's northeastern flank. The drills are among the largest NATO exercises held in Finland since its accession to the Alliance in 2023, highlighting preparations for a potential conflict with Russia.
Defence24.comNATO Holds 'Northern Star' Military Exercises Near Russian Border in Finland
NATO is conducting the 'Northern Star' military exercises in eastern Finland, approximately 30-40 km from the Russian border. The maneuvers involve over 5,000 soldiers from Finland, Poland, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Hungary, and the United States, utilizing Leopard tanks and Chinook helicopters. The exercises take place in challenging terrain near Kajaani, characterized by bogs and swamps in summer and extreme cold in winter. Commanded by Finnish Brigadier General Ari Laaksonen, 'Northern Star' is part of the larger U.S.-led 'Sword 26' exercises, which involve about 15,500 troops and 1,100 pieces of military equipment, focusing on NATO's northeastern flank. These are among the largest NATO maneuvers in Finland since its accession to the Alliance in 2023.
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