In a show of force close to Russia’s border, NATO launched its biggest artillery drills, Lightning Strike 24, in Finland’s Lapland region. Led by the US Army Europe and Africa, the exercise brings together over 5,000 troops and 130 artillery systems, highlighting NATO’s preparedness in northern Europe. The drills will run until November 28.
While drills are also being held in countries like Poland, Romania and Germany, Finland’s location near Russia’s Murmansk region has brought significant attention. The Finnish portion of the exercises involves around 3,600 NATO troops.
NATO Kicks Off Largest Artillery Drills In Finland, On Russia's Northern Doorstep
The US Army is the most sizeable component of the exercise… pic.twitter.com/cV054Xzya6— Rami. (@ThrilledBe) November 5, 2024
Colonel Janne Makitalo, the exercise commander, emphasized NATO’s readiness to act quickly in case of a threat. “Allied support can come to Finland very quickly,” he stated, stressing NATO’s defensive capabilities.
The US military is heavily represented in the drills, deploying units such as the 56th Artillery Command, 10th Mountain Division and the 82nd Airborne Division. Finland’s full NATO membership, finalized in 2023, places it in a critical defensive position near Russia.
Finland will place a NATO base in Mikkeli, under 200 km from Russia, to reinforce its defense.
Defense Minister Hakkanen says it will send a strong message to Moscow. pic.twitter.com/phJHyy19GK
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 22, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin has downplayed the significance of these developments, suggesting that Finland and Sweden’s NATO memberships might cause issues for those countries rather than impacting Russia. Putin called the NATO expansion “meaningless.”
⚡️Today, for the first time in history, NATO will start military exercises on the territory of Finland, which has 1,340 kilometers of a common border with Russia
Maneuvers called Nordic Response 24 will also take place in the northern regions of Norway and Sweden and will last… pic.twitter.com/xGdXflMYRC
— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) March 4, 2024
These exercises showcase NATO’s strategic positioning in Europe, with Finland’s new role adding to the alliance’s security stance in the region. The drills underscore NATO’s ability to respond effectively near Russia’s northern border.
