Russia is building a new military base near the border with Finland - Yle
Kyiv • UNN
A new Russian base for 6,000 troops is being built near Petrozavodsk. It will feature over 50 facilities to build up forces near Finland's eastern border.
Russia has begun construction of its first entirely new military base near Finland's eastern border. Experts estimate that between 4,000 and 6,000 troops will be stationed in Nova Vilga near Petrozavodsk, Yle reports, according to UNN.
Details
According to the publication, construction of the new military base began in Petrozavodsk in the spring and is "proceeding at a rapid pace." "About a dozen large barrack buildings are already being erected. The scale of construction is impressive, especially considering that previously in Petrozavodsk, only old military facilities were reconstructed," the publication states.
The new military town is reportedly being built a few kilometers from Petrozavodsk. Yle was the first Western media outlet to report on these construction plans in January. However, the exact location of the base was not known at that time.
The military base is reportedly being built in the middle of a forest. The first clearings are visible on satellite images taken in November 2025. Earthworks on the site began last winter.
Military expert Marko Eklund, interviewed by Yle, identified the location of the construction site in the spring based on a Russian document regarding the connection of the future military town's territory to Petrozavodsk's water and sewage networks. The cost of the work was estimated at nearly 5.9 million euros.
In Russia, the construction work only became public knowledge a week ago when Russian Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Fradkov made an inspection trip to the site. According to authorities, more than 50 different facilities will appear on the territory, including barracks, residential apartment buildings, and sports grounds.
The new base is being built in the village of Nova Vilga in close proximity to Petrozavodsk, as it would be difficult to attract contract soldiers and their families to remote areas, the publication writes.
At the same time, the future garrison is surrounded by dense forest, providing space for further development, and training grounds are located next to the barracks.
According to Eklund, the barrack buildings appear typical for Russian construction – 3 to 4 stories high.
Eklund reminds that military construction is still in its initial stages, and the war in Ukraine prevents Russia from rapidly increasing forces near the Finnish border.
"You can't build a modern army on rusty tanks from Siberian training grounds, so it will take a lot of time and money," Eklund noted.
The construction of military facilities in Karelia is just one episode of a large-scale buildup of Russian troops along the entire border with NATO, the publication notes.
"The number of combat land forces is indeed growing significantly," Eklund noted.
According to Eklund, the troop buildup poses a potential threat to Finland – the combat capabilities of the Russian army will increase manifold.
"A threat is formed from intent and capabilities. Capabilities will increase significantly once these troops are established," Eklund noted.
But, the publication points out, this will not happen immediately.
"Infrastructure needs to be built, equipment purchased, people recruited and then trained. Only then will these troops be truly functional," Eklund indicated.