Russia adds Finland to nuclear target list after NATO accession

Russia’s defense ministry announced that Finland is now a priority target for Moscow’s nuclear weapons following Helsinki’s recent entry into NATO and the revocation of its long‑standing ban on nuclear arms on its soil. The decision highlights the 1,340‑km border the two countries share and signals a marked shift in European security dynamics. Russian officials, including Security Council deputy Dmitri Medvedev, warned that the move reflects a “new doctrine of retaliation” and escalates diplomatic tensions. In response, Russia has accelerated the deployment of advanced weaponry, including the hypersonic Oreshkin missile system, to bases near the Finnish frontier and in allied Belarus. Analysts say the development threatens the post‑Cold‑War balance in the Baltic region and could force NATO to reassess its defense planning.