Analysis

Northern Europe faces largest Russian military buildup in decades, investigation reveals

Vladimir Putin at the Zapad-2025 exercises in the Nizhny Novgorod region, September 16, 2025. Photo: Kremlin press service
Vladimir Putin at the Zapad-2025 exercises in the Nizhny Novgorod region, September 16, 2025. Photo: Kremlin press service

Russia is rapidly expanding its military infrastructure along the borders with Northern Europe and the Baltic states. A joint investigation by Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Swedish television channel SVT, Danish corporation DR, and Estonian Delfi has revealed that new barracks, military towns, warehouses, and equipment depots are being built near NATO borders. According to analysts' estimates, upon completion of these projects, Russia will be able to station up to 115,000 troops in the northwestern direction – nearly six times more than before the full-scale war in Ukraine.