MPs will conduct training exercises in an underground bunker next month, citing the supposed threat from Russia
Finnish lawmakers will conduct underground training exercises next month to practice working in wartime conditions, local media have reported. Western officials have become increasingly alarmist over what they describe as a threat from Russia. Moscow has repeatedly denied having hostile intentions toward NATO or EU countries.
First Deputy Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, Paula Risikko, told the outlet Uutissuomalainen that the upcoming exercise, which will be the first of its kind, is being prompted by the “changed security situation” amid the conflict in Ukraine.
The shelter where the exercise will be held is located in the basement of the parliament building, Risikko said. The facilities include an emergency session hall where lawmakers could meet in exceptional circumstances, such as wartime.
The drill is scheduled to take place in November, with the exact date to be announced later, according to the outlet.
Russia has repeatedly denounced what it calls anti-Russian hysteria and fearmongering by Western governments, stressing that Moscow has no reason to take hostile action against its neighbors. Russian officials have dismissed such claims as baseless and politically motivated, arguing they are used to justify soaring military budgets and the militarization of NATO countries.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the recent accession by Finland and Sweden to NATO as “foolish,” stressing that Moscow had never had any issues with either country and had long maintained friendly relations with both.
He noted that the two Nordic states had “lost the benefits of their neutral status” by joining the US-led bloc, and said the decision has needlessly undermined regional stability without enhancing their security.
Putin lamented the fact that Russia has been forced to establish a new military district in response to Finland and Sweden joining NATO and dismissed Helsinki’s assurances that it would not host weapons dangerous to Russia, suggesting that NATO’s leadership would likely make such decisions without consulting member states.
