Finland seeks one million land mines as it eyes the Russian threat
Finland, which shares an eastern border with Russia, wants to acquire about one million land mines. Helsinki recently joined other regional states in withdrawing from a UN document banning such munitions.
Finland, a Nordic country in north-eastern Europe, wants to acquire one million land mines. The country is making the move as it assesses the threat along its eastern border, where its neighbour is Russia, according to Al Jazeera.
Withdrawal from the ban
Helsinki recently joined other regional states in withdrawing from a UN document that bans such munitions. The step opens the way for Finland to acquire and use land mines, which international commitments had previously restricted.
Why it matters
The decision shows that Finland sees its security along the eastern frontier as under threat and is preparing to strengthen its border defences. It also points to a wider shift in the region, since Finland is not the only country to have walked away from the ban.
The source gives no further detail on the types of mines, the cost of the purchase or the timeline.
