Russia is increasing its military presence near its border with Finland, just over two years after Finland joined NATO.
According to Finnish broadcaster YLE, Moscow has begun building a garrison for an artillery brigade in the Murmansk region, based on recent satellite images.
YLE reports that this construction is the first concrete sign of a lasting troop presence near the border. The satellite images reveal significant developments at other Russian military sites in the same area.
Local authorities in Murmansk state that a new military town is being built about 150 kilometres from the border, with renovations underway on old housing.
Swedish broadcaster SVT has also analysed the satellite images, which show initial signs of Russian military equipment near the Finnish border.
In Petrozavodsk, located roughly 175 kilometres from the border, the Russian army is reported to have built three warehouses capable of housing up to 50 armoured vehicles each.
Additionally, a tent camp for 1,000 soldiers is being set up at the Kamenka military base.
Russian authorities are also reconstructing the Severomorsk-2 airbase, which has been closed since 1998.
