Finland is conducting Europe’s largest civil defense drills since the end of World War II. More than 2,000 people, including volunteers and students, are taking part.
The exercises are being held in the central Finnish city of Kuopio. Under the drill scenario, the city’s critical infrastructure, including electricity and water supply systems, has been disrupted by cyberattacks, and there is a threat of Russian missile strikes, Associated Press reported. The goal of the drills is for local authorities and ordinary citizens to practice their response in the event of a real attack.
Finland’s defense relies not only on the military but also on the readiness of ordinary Finns to take responsibility for their country’s security, according to retired army colonel Asko Muhonen. Muhonen, who organized the drills in Kuopio, said this is partly due to the conscription system, which continued in Finland even after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Threats to energy infrastructure
The biggest threat to energy infrastructure in the Kuopio region is heavy snowfall, storms, and bad weather, said Juha Rasänen, CEO of the power company Savon Voima. However, he noted that since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the company’s decision to stop purchasing Russian biofuel, the number of cyberattacks on the grid has increased significantly. Last year, engineers also discovered at least 10 stickers placed on particularly vulnerable parts of the energy infrastructure. Other Finnish energy companies have also found such stickers and do not know where they came from.
«If an explosion had occurred at that moment, it could have destroyed the entire dam,» Rasänen said. Additionally, drones have been spotted over power lines, but the culprits have not been identified.
Rasänen emphasized that it is impossible to protect against all threats, so it is important for people to be prepared to meet their own needs for at least 72 hours — in case of a power outage or if water becomes undrinkable.
Ukraine’s experience for NATO militaries
As reported by UNIAN, Ukrainian troops are sharing their experience of using ground robots directly on the training ground with NATO armies. Western instructors are studying not only the capabilities of such machines but also their limitations in real combat conditions.
The exchange of experience is taking place as part of the multinational operation «Legio», led by Norway. Ukrainian troops are training alongside Western colleagues at a specially equipped training ground in Poland.
According to Norwegian brigadier Atle Molden, the situation is unusual in many ways: instead of Western militaries teaching Ukrainians how to use ground drones, the Ukrainian side is now «teaching us». Norway believes this experience must be taken into account when training its own forces. At the same time, Western militaries are trying not just to copy Ukrainian tactics but to understand which solutions can truly be adapted to the conditions of other countries.
Source: UNIAN
