Bring it on Vlad, say fearless Finns living in Vlad’s shadow & ready to fight Russia AGAIN

Finland is one of Nato‘s newest member states – joining after power-mad Vlad showed his hunger for war by storming Ukraine.

With a sprawling 1,340km border, the tranquil Nordic nation now has the longest line of contact between the alliance and Russia is on the literal frontline as tensions with Europe flare.

And they have a unique history with the Russians – having fought one of the most brutal wars in history against them in 1939.

It ended in a bloodbath for the Red Army, with more than 130,000 ill-equipped soldiers killed and a humiliating peace treaty.

GRIN OF A KILLER

Smirking ‘Bucha butcher’ who led slaughter of Ukraine civilians UNMASKED

COMING STORM

UK faces attack every DAY as Putin rips up war playbook… worse is coming

Despite now being backed by the US, Britain and the rest of Nato – Finns are well aware they live in the shadow of the aggressive and bloodthirsty Kremlin.

Finland’s position has become yet more pivotal since joining the alliance in 2023 – and could see it become a flashpoint if Putin turns his attention to the West.

But locals told me they are not afraid of Putin as The Sun was on the ground for Nato drills in port city of Turku.

The tyrant has quietly engaged in a strategic, long-term military build-up along his border with Finland – while waging hybrid warfare against the West.

Alarm bells have been set off by a series of sinister actions in recent months – including a drone incursion on Poland’s airspace and suspected sabotage of underwater infrastructure.

And it’s clear Helsinki is taking the threat of a ground offensive seriously – with a 200km fence along its eastern border due to be completed next year.

But – despite living on Putin’s doorstep – there is a consensus among the Finnish public that they are ready, come what may.

Stopping to speak to her way to work, Zena brushed off any feeling of genuine fear.

“We are very close to Russia, they are just across the border, so the threat feels close,” she told The Sun.

“But I think our defences are good, especially now we are part of Nato.

“I don’t think Putin would be successful [if he attacked Finland], but there is always the threat in the long run.

“But the Soviets failed last time with the Winter War and he should remember that.”

And with a population of just 5.6million, Finland would barely muster 900,000 fighters in the event of an offensive.

But it wouldn’t be their first time staging a David-and-Goliath campaign.

When Stalin ordered his troops across the border in 1939, Finland’s tiny army – dwarfed by the sheer size of the Red Army – snapped into action to defend against the Soviet Union’s might.

Stalin expected to lap up a quick victory, much like Putin did in Ukraine, but was humiliated when resilient Finnish soldiers fought tooth and nail.

Unprepared to cope with the brutal winter conditions, the Red Army’s might was crushed.

Within three months, the baffled Soviet Union – having seen more than 130,000 of its men slaughtered – was forced to sign a peace treaty.

In the years that followed the Winter War, Finland remained neutral while still being under the influence of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991.

But it was the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that saw Finland push for Nato’s backing despite having defended itself alone for many years.

Should Putin pull the trigger and launch an assault on Finland, it would now spark an almighty response from allied nations.

This week, we visited the port city of Turku where Finland is leading Nato training operation Freezing Winds.

I am not afraid of Russia

But the 10-day exercise – involving 4,000 multinational personnel, warships and combat aircraft – isn’t just about flexing the alliance’s military muscle.

Fundamentally, it’s about war readiness and the ability to defend against ever-diversifying threats.

Local Pyry Toivonen, 25, told The Sun: “I feel safe here. Joining Nato was a good decision because it gives us more protection.

“Ukraine was not allowed to join and this is what happened to them.

“So it gives me better sleep here in Finland.”

Another passing member of the public, Joni, added: “I am not afraid of Russia.

“I’m very pleased that we are in Nato, so we don’t have to be so worried about Russia anymore.”

The confidence of the ordinary Finnish people should not be mistaken for arrogance, however.

Almost nine decades have passed since Finland’s stunning defence against Stalin, and in that time has become one of the most combat-ready forces in Europe.

Keeping a watchful eye on Putin’s wrath is not enough for Helsinki’s top officials, who – alongside securing the country’s Nato membership – have been bolstering the country’s defences.

Although it has a sparse population, almost one in six people have military training – and can be called up in the event of conflict.

Reservist numbers are being reinforced, with the number expected to be boosted by 125,000 in the next five years to bring the total to more than one million by 2031.

Rather than relying on one standing army, the backbone of its defence and deterrence to Russia comes from utilising universal conscription, a vast reserve pool and building a society where everyone has a role.

It means war readiness is integrated into everyday life – with a network of 50,000 bomb shelters throughout the country built into dual purpose facilities such as sports arenas and parking garages.

Every household is required to have a 72-hour survival supply of food, water and fuel in case of an emergency.

But for now, Finland must balance on the tightrope of beefing up deterrence while grappling with diplomacy.

Inside the Nato task force keeping tabs on Putin at sea

Exclusive by Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital)

FRESH off a mission tracking Vladimir Putin’s shady ships, a British navy commander reminisces about a time when UK sailors were once friendly with the Russians.

But Commander Craig Raeburn – Standing Nato Maritime Group 1’s chief of staff – warns the sprawling nation is now the UK’s top foe.

Speaking to The Sun on board Nato warship HNLMS Johan de Witt in London, Raeburn told how the crew work around the clock the keep Britain safe from Putin‘s wrath.

Anchored in the shadow of Canary Wharf is the 16,800-tonne Dutch assault vessel, having just returned from deployment in the Baltic Sea around Western Europe.

Commanded by Dutch Commodore Arjen Warnaar with 170 crew members on board, the hulking grey ship has just spent more than two months as the flagship of a task force keeping tabs on threats.

Just hours after docking in Greenwich, The Sun was invited on board to find out more about its crucial mission to safeguard the UK and beyond.

Kitted out with a hangar, two landing spots and a stern-located landing well-dock, both helicopters and landing craft can be quickly dispatched.

Johan de Witt also houses its own hospital ward, complete with an operating table, and – among its maze of hallways – control centres and bedrooms for intrepid crew members.

Whether it’s reconnaissance, rescue or warfare, the mighty ship and its crew are ready to react.

Since Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine in 2022, the Baltic Sea has become a flashpoint for tensions between Russia and Nato – charged by Finland and Sweden’s decision to join the alliance.

Suspected sabotage of underwater infrastructure – much of which the UK’s connectivity, economy and energy security depends on – has escalated what officials deem a “hybrid war” Moscow is waging against the West.

With Russian territory including St Petersburg – the home of its key naval fleet – sitting at the mouth of Nato waters, the sea is at risk of becoming a tinderbox.

READ MORE HERE