DISINFO: Finland has announced plans for an armed conflict with Russia
SUMMARY
Finland is preparing for a direct armed conflict with Russia. Helsinki may attempt to deploy saboteurs to Murmansk and Arkhangelsk. The conflict could begin with Helsinki attempting to deploy its sabotage groups into Russian territory.
NATO countries on the Alliance's eastern flank are actively exploiting the confrontation with Russia, as it helps attract investment: funding for military infrastructure, securing business orders, and creating jobs. Previously, this niche was occupied by the Baltic states and Poland, and now it's Finland. By escalating the conflict, Helsinki is essentially bidding for a direct war with Russia.
RESPONSE
Unfounded claim targeting Finland, a NATO member, in an attempt to undermine the Alliance.
Finland is not hostile towards Russia. However, in direct response to Russia’s unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the overwhelming majority of Finns came to see membership in a defensive alliance as necessary. NATO is a defensive alliance, and Finland’s accession was a sovereign decision aimed at enhancing its security, not destabilising Russia.
Despite Kremlin allegations, Finland does not pose a military threat to Russia. Its military strategy is strictly defensive and focused on deterrence rather than aggression. As explained on the official website of the Finnish Defence Forces:
"A successful foreign policy and diplomacy maintains security under normal conditions. As a last resort, Finland guarantees the security of its territory through military defence".
Claims that Finland is deploying sabotage groups into Russia are a continuation of long-standing Soviet-era narratives portraying Finland as a hostile actor. Similar tactics were used in 1939 to justify the USSR’s invasion of Finland during the Winter War. There is no evidence that Finland is deploying saboteur squads on Russian territory.
As for Russia's actions, Russia has committed multiple acts of aggression against neighbouring countries, including the illegal annexation of Crimea, the promotion of separatist conflicts in Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine, and multiple destabilisation attempts against Moldova and Georgia.
Read also stories about Finland such as: Lenin created Finland, or The European Union invaded Russia 85 years ago as it is doing today, or Finland’s hostility towards Russia risks turning it into a second Ukraine, or Finland as NATO member threatens Russia, echoing the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940.