Finland, UK conduct Northern Axe 25 military drills near Russian border

Finland is holding joint military exercises with the United Kingdom, named Northern Axe 25, in the Kainuu region bordering Russia’s Republic of Karelia, the Finnish Ministry of Defence has stated.

The manoeuvres run from November 29 to December 5 and involve around 3,000 Finnish troops, including 600 reservists, alongside British forces. About 600 pieces of equipment are deployed, including tanks and transport helicopters, per Caliber.Az.

The exercises aim to practice defensive skills, deterrence, offensive operations, and night combat in northern Finland. Special emphasis is placed on inter-branch coordination and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Finland shares a long border with Russia and has historically maintained a strong defensive posture, particularly in northern regions such as Kainuu, which borders Russia’s Republic of Karelia. Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Finland’s security policy shifted, culminating in its NATO membership in April 2023. This has increased the country’s focus on interoperability with allied forces, including the United Kingdom, for coordinated defence and deterrence operations.

Northern Axe 25 is a live-exercise (LIVEX) multinational field training event, designed to simulate brigade-level operations in winter terrain. It builds on Finland's conscript-based system, incorporating reservists for wartime validation.

By Khagan Isayev