Diplomat: Moscow monitors NATO drills in Finland, cites hybrid warfare risks

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said that Moscow is monitoring NATO exercises in Finland and assessing possible risks that could be associated with these manoeuvres.

She made the remarks at a briefing on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum, adding that the monitoring is part of an overall strategy aimed at countering the hybrid warfare being waged against Russia, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“We have repeatedly warned about the risks arising from the beginning of NATO's military development of Finnish territory. <...> The practice of military operations on Finnish territory is part of the hybrid war against our country," the diplomat said.

Zakharova went on to say, “In addition, such activity creates new threats to security, navigation and economic activity in the Far North. We are monitoring what is happening, assessing potential risks. Our militaries are drawing the appropriate conclusions."