KERAVA, Finland — Concerned about Russia’s territorial ambitions and buoyed by its recent NATO membership, Finland is actively working to enhance its national defense capabilities beyond conventional military measures.
In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in interest surrounding weapons training within the Nordic nation. Shooting ranges are particularly reflecting this growing enthusiasm for self-defense, witnessing a surge in participation.
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022, has left a lasting impact on the perceptions of many Finns, contributing to the current escalation in firearm training.
The Vantaa Reservist Association, operating a shooting range in what was once a sex toy manufacturing facility in Kerava, just north of Helsinki, has seen its membership expand more than twofold in the past two years, now boasting over 2,100 members.
“They have something in the back of their mind pushing them to acquire these skills now,” remarked association chairman Antti Kettunen, amidst an array of shot-up targets. “The political climate has shifted, and now it’s blowing from the east.”
Earlier this year, the government announced plans to construct over 300 new shooting ranges, significantly increasing the existing total of 670.
Authorities are keen on fostering a culture of national defense, especially considering Finland’s lengthy 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia, where recreational shooting is not as common as other sports like ice hockey.
“There has always been strong interest in national defense in Finland, and the recent Russian aggression against Ukraine has further amplified this interest,” stated Jukka Kopra, the chair of Finland’s defense committee, in a recent interview.
In the wake of concerns stemming from Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Finland joined NATO as its 31st member last year. Its neighbor, Sweden, also applied for membership in March, and the two nations recently outlined plans to enhance their civil defense measures, though they notably refrained from explicitly naming Russia.
The uptick in self-defense initiatives extends beyond shooting practice.
According to the National Defense Training Association, more than 120,000 training sessions have taken place this year, a figure that has more than doubled since three years ago. The national reservists’ association has also seen a growth of over 67%, with membership climbing to more than 50,000 since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
In contrast to many European nations, Finland still maintains around 50,000 civil defense shelters from the Cold War era, which possess the capacity to shelter nearly 85% of its population of about 5.5 million.
“This marks a new phase for civil defense shelters, responding to modern warfare’s evolving challenges,” explained Tomi Rask, from Helsinki Rescue Services, during a recent visit to one of the city’s shelters. “We acknowledge that our neighbors have the potential to inflict harm, and it is imperative that we are prepared.”
Donning camouflage at the shooting range in Kerava, military reservists and shooting enthusiasts navigate an obstacle course, intermittently firing loud Glock handguns at human-shaped targets.
“Some individuals engage in this merely for enjoyment,” commented Miikka Kallio, a 38-year-old firefighter. “Others appear motivated by our eastern neighbor: I’ve heard people say they’ve joined the reservists due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
Finland’s history with Russia is fraught with conflict, having forged much of its national identity in opposition to its eastern neighbor, including gaining independence from the Russian Empire in 1917 and successfully defending against a larger Soviet force in what has become known as the Winter War during World War II.
Kettunen drew a parallel between learning to handle firearms and swimming, emphasizing the necessity of training and readiness. “When the moment arises that you need to know how to shoot or swim and you’re unprepared, it’s unfortunately too late,” he remarked.
