April 3 (Reuters) - Russia will strengthen its military capacity in its western and northwestern regions in response to Finland's expected accession to NATO on Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said, state-owned news agency RIA reported.
Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO last year after Russia invaded Ukraine. Finland has a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia that will roughly double the transatlantic alliance's frontier facing Moscow.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said last year that Russia was taking "adequate countermeasures" and would form 12 units and divisions in its western military district.
Grushko told RIA: "We will strengthen our military potential in the western and northwestern direction. In the event that the forces and resources of other NATO members are deployed in Finland, we will take additional steps to reliably ensure Russia's military security."
Reporting by Mark Trevelyan, Editing by Angus MacSwan
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Girfex on April 3rd, 2023 at 12:58 UTC »
..Beef it up with what?
a_sense_of_contrast on April 3rd, 2023 at 12:49 UTC »
So Russia is going to spread its already underperforming military even thinner to defend a front with a neighbour they aren't at war with?
Are the everyday Russians I have to believe this is aimed at really so dumb?
AsparagusTamer on April 3rd, 2023 at 12:48 UTC »
Divert soldiers from the frontlines of Ukraine? Yes please!