Permanent combat positions built on Finland’s eastern Gulf of Finland coastline

Finland’s Defence Forces are constructing permanent combat positions along the Gulf of Finland coastline in the Kymenlaakso region, Yle reports. It is the first time such positions have been built outside garrison areas.

The positions will be used in regular military exercises but can be activated in the event of a military threat against Finland. Commander of the Navy’s Coastal Brigade, Veli Pihlaja, said the Defence Forces train outside garrison areas and that construction has therefore been extended to locations where the positions would also be useful in exceptional circumstances.

Positions are being built at least at Klamila harbour near Virolahti and on Kirkonmaa island off the coast of Kotka.

Yle was given access to the Tukimuuri 26 exercise, during which conscripts are building positions at an undisclosed location. The Defence Forces have asked that the positions not be photographed and that their exact locations not be shared on social media.

Not related to drone incidents

The concrete combat positions can serve as guard posts, control points, firing positions, or shelters from incoming fire. Pihlaja said they are designed for protection against fragmentation from explosives and direct fire, but are not intended for countering drones.

The decision to build the positions was made before the first drones strayed into Finnish airspace at the turn of March and April.

The positions vary in design. Some are dugouts, others are constructed from large sandbags and concrete elements. They also vary in size, with some intended for a two-person fighting pair and others designed to shelter larger units.

Conscripts from Upinniemi were among those taking part in building the concrete-element positions at Klamila harbour. The construction forms part of the Coastal Brigade exercise, giving conscripts hands-on experience in assembling the positions, which can be put together within a few hours.