Wartime preparedness tested in Europe’s biggest civil drill since WWII

Finland has conducted what it described as Europe’s largest civil defence exercise since the end of World War II, testing how authorities and civilians would cope with emergencies ranging from cyberattacks and infrastructure failures to potential missile strikes.

More than 2,000 conscripts, volunteers, students and emergency personnel participated in the Shelter 2026 exercise on September 2 in the central region of Kuopio, as Finnish media reports.

The simulated crisis included cyberattacks that disrupted electricity and water supplies, combined with the threat of incoming missile strikes.

During the exercise, participants rehearsed procedures for opening civil defense shelters, monitoring radiation levels and providing accommodation for thousands of civilians underground.

One of Kuopio’s principal shelters is built directly into the rock and normally operates as a sports facility. It has space for approximately 7,000 people and is equipped to provide protection against conventional, nuclear and biological threats. Hundreds of people taking part in the drill spent the night inside the facility on camp beds.

The exercise also drew on experiences from Ukraine, where civilians can sometimes have only a few minutes to reach a subway station, underground car park or another protected location when an attack begins.

Finland’s civil defence system includes more than 50,500 shelters with a combined capacity of roughly 4.8 million people — enough to accommodate most of the country’s population of 5.6 million.

During peacetime, many of these shelters serve other community functions, operating as swimming pools, sports centres, playgrounds and entertainment facilities.

They can, however, be converted into protected shelters at short notice if an emergency requires it.

Finland’s military preparedness is further supported by mandatory service for men and voluntary military service for women. The system enables the country to mobilize approximately 280,000 troops, supported by a reserve force of around 900,000 people.

Security Concerns

The exercise comes as concerns grow over military activity by Finland’s eastern neighbour, Russia, as well as the broader security situation along NATO’s northern flank.

Last month, Finland’s Defence Ministry said it was investigating a suspected breach of the country’s airspace involving a Russian military aircraft.

The Nordic country shares a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023, following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Helsinki has also announced plans to increase defense spending to at least 3 percent of gross domestic product by 2029.

By Nazrin Sadigova