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A joint investigation by several Nordic and Baltic media outlets has found that Russia is expanding military infrastructure near its borders with Europe to accommodate tens of thousands of additional troops.
The findings were reported by Swedish broadcaster SVT and Norwegian outlet NRK, according to UATV English.
Journalists from Sweden’s SVT, together with Norway’s NRK, Denmark’s DR, and the Estonian edition of Delfi, analyzed satellite imagery of Russian military facilities near European borders and concluded that extensive construction is underway at several locations.
The images show numerous new barracks capable of housing thousands of soldiers, ammunition depots, and areas designated for military equipment.
In Pechenga (Petsamo), located just 10 kilometers from Norway’s border in Lapland, construction of barracks and an increasing concentration of military hardware have been observed. Similar developments are taking place in Petrozavodsk near the Finnish border. Military equipment is also being accumulated in Sapyornoye near Finland and in Luga in the Pskov region, as well as in Baltiysk in Russia’s Kaliningrad region.
A new military infrastructure complex is being built in Kirillovskoye, approximately 70 kilometers from the Finnish border, while an existing base in Kandalaksha on the White Sea is being expanded.
As part of the investigation, journalists also interviewed security officials and military experts.
According to Finnish Army Commander Pasi Välimäki, once the new infrastructure is completed, the number of Russian troops stationed near Finland’s border could rise to around 80,000, compared with roughly 20,000 previously.
The base in Pechenga, located in Russia’s far north, is expected to be capable of hosting up to 17,000 troops after expansion, up from its current capacity of 7,000.
Overall, the new and expanded facilities could allow Russia to concentrate up to 115,000 military personnel along its borders with Northern Europe and the Baltic region.
“This is a threat that we must take seriously. We do not believe all of this is merely for show. It is about preparing capabilities for a future large-scale confrontation with NATO,” said Thomas Nilsson, head of Sweden’s military intelligence service MUST.
Experts believe that the deployment of forces to these facilities is likely to occur after the active phase of the war against Ukraine ends.
“As long as Russia remains occupied with Ukraine, the direct military threat is low. But that can change quickly if there is a pause in Ukraine,” said Major General Brian Nilsen, commander of NATO forces in the Baltic region and Poland.
“If Russia is now building up forces to the levels it has announced — and the images indicate that this is exactly what it is doing — the military threat to Norway will increase,” said Norwegian Army Commander Eirik Kristoffersen.
Earlier in 2026, the United Kingdom announced plans to double the number of its troops stationed in Norway in response to the Russian threat in the Arctic.
At the same time, Norway’s Chief of Defense stated that he could not rule out the possibility of a future Russian attack and that preparations for such a scenario are underway.
Read also: Kallas: Certain Developments Inside Russia Indicate Dissatisfaction with the Continuation of the War
