Washington: In a concerning development, Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service revealed on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to double military deployments along the NATO border with Baltic states and Finland, signaling a potential long-term strategic shift following events in Ukraine, according to media reports.
The intelligence agency underscored Putin’s persistent appetite for conflict, cautioning that the threat from Russia remains unpredictable, even nearly two years after the invasion of Ukraine.
Estonia, having gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991 and subsequently becoming a NATO member in 2004, is particularly attuned to such developments.
The report highlighted the possibility of Russia augmenting its current troop presence, potentially doubling the 19,000-strong force stationed near Estonia. Furthermore, it outlined plans for a significant buildup near Finland’s 830-mile border, particularly since Finland’s recent NATO membership.
This proposed military expansion is envisioned to comprise multiple maneuver units complemented by fire support and combat support elements, according to the intelligence findings.
Western officials are viewing Putin’s veiled threats against NATO countries with increasing concern, recognizing the potential for these threats to materialize. NATO’s collective defense principle under Article 5 dictates that an attack on any member state is considered an attack on all.