With a wary eye on Russia, Finland runs Europe’s largest civil defense exercise since WWII

In Kuoipo, Finland, two conscript soldiers in hazmat suits and breathing masks are measuring radiation levels inside a civil defense shelter, which was turned into a haven for thousands of residents. The exercise, involving over 2,000 individuals including volunteers and students, is the largest of its kind in Europe since World War II.

The scenario envisions disruptions to critical infrastructure due to cyberattacks, and the threat of missile strikes from Russia. Finland's border with Russia is over 830 miles long, stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Arctic Circle. In 2024, Finland joined NATO after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but Finns have historically relied on their own defenses.

Retired Colonel Asko Muhonen stated that Finland's defense strategy combines military readiness with a "mindset" of ordinary people prepared to defend their country. Conscript Jyry Pietikainen, 23, emphasized the duty to protect the nation, drawing parallels to past generations. Finland also seeks to learn from Ukraine's experience in safeguarding its security.