Up to 5,000 troops will be stationed in Finland about 90 miles from the countries’ border, according to newspaper Iltalehti
NATO is planning to deploy an armored brigade in Finland to serve as a deterrent against Russia, newspaper Iltalehti reported on Thursday, citing sources within the US-led military bloc and the government in Helsinki.
The unit, which could range in size from 4,000 to 5,000 troops, will be stationed at Mikkeli in the south-eastern part of Finland, according to the daily. Mikkeli is a town with a population of 51,000 just 87 miles (140 kilometers) from the border with Russia.
According to the newspaper’s sources, the brigade will comprise NATO troops from neighboring Sweden and Norway.
The Finnish government has decided on the need to deploy NATO soldiers from other countries to “strengthen preventative deterrence” against Russia, according to the article.
The decision to set up a NATO military headquarters in Mikkeli has…