Finnish Defence Forces Conduct Mass Explosive Disposal at Kittilä Range

The Finnish Defence Forces’ logistics unit is carrying out a scheduled mass‑detonation operation at the Hukkakeron range in Kittilä, Lapland. From 3 August to 18 August 2026, decommissioned and expired explosives are being destroyed by controlled blasts, a practice that has been part of the armed forces’ explosives‑safety programme for years.

The area is closed to the public during the daily detonations, which run from 08:00 to 22:00, including weekends. The operation aims to safely eliminate unusable munitions, reuse what can be applied to training, and recycle the rest. This marks the 37th annual mass‑detonation exercise, with the Defence Forces emphasizing minimal environmental impact and strict safety measures.