The Russian Air Defense Forces (Air Defense) works to defend the northwestern borders of the country. The reason was Finland’s NATO membership and Sweden’s discussion of the same step. This was announced by the Commander of the Air Defense Forces, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces, Lieutenant General Andrei Demin, his words are published by RIA Novosti.
“Finland has become part of the NATO bloc. Sweden is preparing to join the alliance. Under these conditions, the air defense forces are working on the issues of protecting the state border in the northwest of the country according to the increase in the level of threats,” Demin said.
Finland and Sweden asked NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to join the alliance nearly a year ago. On April 4, Finland was officially accepted into the ranks of the bloc. Sweden’s NATO membership is still in question. Stockholm has not received the approval of the Hungarian and Turkish authorities, and it is impossible to accept Sweden into the bloc without their consent.
Every year in Russia, on the second Sunday of April, the Day of the Air Defense Forces is celebrated. This year, the professional holiday of the military falls on April 9.
Air defense troops practice protecting Russia’s borders due to NATO expansion
