Finland has staged Europe’s biggest civil defense exercise since World War II, putting thousands of people through crisis scenarios amid growing concern over a Russian military threat and suspected sabotage across Europe.
More than 2,000 people, including volunteers, students and military conscripts, took part in the two-day Shelter 2026 exercise, held earlier this week in the central Finnish city of Kuopio.
The drill centered on Luola, a vast underground sports complex built into rock that was converted into a civil defense shelter.
Participants rehearsed how authorities would respond if cyberattacks knocked out electricity and water supplies, alongside a scenario involving possible missile strikes from Russia.
The exercise also tested coordination between authorities, businesses, schools, volunteer groups and local residents during a major emergency.
Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, joined NATO in 2023 following the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, ending decades of military non-alignment.
Russia threat looms large
The drill comes amid heightened concern across Europe over Russian military activity, cyberattacks and suspected sabotage.
Last month, a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft was suspected of entering Finnish airspace over the Gulf of Finland for around three minutes, penetrating roughly 8.7 kilometers into the Nordic country’s territory.
Finland summoned the Russian ambassador over the incident, which came less than three months after another suspected violation involving a Russian military aircraft.
The airspace violations come against a backdrop of growing concern over suspected Russian hybrid operations elsewhere in Europe.
Germany this week accused Moscow of orchestrating an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle airport in August, where an explosives-laden drone was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft used to transport military supplies. Russia denied responsibility.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said this week that a fire at a factory supplying drone components to Ukraine was an act of sabotage, although Polish authorities have not publicly identified who was behind it.
Long history with Russia
For Finland, concern over its much larger eastern neighbor is deeply rooted in history.
The Soviet Union invaded Finland in November 1939, starting the Winter War. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Finnish forces resisted for 105 days before a peace treaty ended the fighting in March 1940.
Finland retained its independence but was forced to cede 11% of its territory to the Soviet Union. More than 25,000 Finns were killed and around 44,000 wounded.