Finland is conducting its largest civil defense exercise since World War II, involving over 2,000 participants including volunteers and students. The "Shelter 2026" exercise, held in the central Finnish city of Kuopio, simulates a scenario where critical infrastructure, such as power and water, is disrupted by cyberattacks, with the added threat of missile strikes from Russia.
The exercise aims to have local authorities and ordinary citizens rehearse responses to a real-world attack. This includes utilizing civil defense shelters, some of which are designed to withstand nuclear or biological threats. Participants are practicing measures like transforming underground structures into safe zones for thousands of people and managing operations within these facilities.
Retired Army Colonel Asko Muhonen, who organized the exercise, stated that Finland's defense relies not only on its military but also on the "mindset" of its citizens, who are prepared to take responsibility for national security. He emphasized that lessons are being learned from Ukraine, noting the need for easily accessible shelters, not just those capable of withstanding extreme attacks. Dmytro Untila, a Ukrainian student who experienced missile strikes in Odesa, commented that prior training would have been invaluable.
The exercise comes as Finland, which shares an 830-mile border with Russia, joined NATO in 2024 along with Sweden. This marked a shift from Finland's previous stance of relying on self-defense against Russia. Western officials have noted a campaign of sabotage and disruption across Europe, attributed to Russia, which includes arson, attacks on utilities, and drone incursions into EU airspace.
Juha Räsänen, CEO of Savon Voima electricity company, reported a significant increase in cyberattacks against the network since Finland stopped purchasing Russian biofuel. Engineers have also discovered stickers placed on vulnerable parts of the energy infrastructure, though their origin remains unknown. Drones have been observed over power lines, but perpetrators have not been identified. Räsänen stressed the importance of citizens being prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in case of power or water disruptions.
While the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service has investigated various observations, including drone sightings and reflective stickers, they have reported finding nothing of immediate concern, often explaining sightings as everyday occurrences. However, concerns persist, with mentions of Russian jamming of GPS signals. Vuokko Lahtinen, a resident, stated that Finland's best defense is to make it "not worth attacking," relying on both military strength and a population that feels a strong connection to their country.
Historical context underscores Finland's vigilance. The country lost territory and saw a significant portion of its population displaced during its wars with the Soviet Union. Veterans from those conflicts shared harrowing memories of bombings and forced evacuations. The invasion of Ukraine in 2022 brought back these fears for some, like 92-year-old Aili Toivanen, who had been forced to leave her home twice before due to war.
Conscripts like 23-year-old Jyry Pietikainen view the mandatory national service and exercises as a duty essential for maintaining independence. He noted that while Finns can be "pessimistic about life," history has demonstrated the necessity of being prepared for potential threats from Russia. Muhonen advises, "don't believe what they say but observe what they do" when it comes to Moscow's actions.