Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, May 16, deployed Iskander missiles near Russia's border with Finland. It came just a day after Finland declared its intent to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Moscow has clearly expressed that the Scandinavian country will suffer "far-reaching consequences" if it pushes through with the NATO application, noting that it could destroy Finland in "ten seconds." Putin repeated this threat in a strained phone call with Finland. (Related: Russia successfully test-fires new hypersonic cruise missile)
Putin also warned that its "lightning fast" retaliation will happen if the West gets itself directly involved in the Russia-Ukraine War.
A scary dashcam footage seems to reveal a flotilla of the lethal Iskander missiles moving toward Vyborg, which is just 24 miles from the Finnish border.
"As soon as the president of Finland said they were joining NATO, a whole division of Iskanders, seven of them, is moving towards Vyborg. Looks like a new military unit is about to be formed in Vyborg or the region. All the equipment is new, Ural trucks are driving it. So get ready Finns, to join NATO. Looks like a new military unit is being formed – well done," a person behind the lens said.
The missiles are intended to hit targets at short distances and are positioned against NATO forces. They have been the primary weapons utilized by Putin throughout his invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24.
The mobile short-range ballistic missile can carry cluster munitions or enhanced blast warheads. The Iskander, which has a range of up to 310 miles, can also be posted for anti-radar and bunker-busting missions.
Russia will soon be surrounded by NATO countries
Russia's action was rather expected as it will soon be surrounded by NATO countries on its western flank from the Arctic to Turkey.
Finland, which shares an 830-mile border with Russia, declared its aspirations of obtaining NATO membership after staying militarily non-aligned for 75 years. The country officially declared its plans to join NATO on Sunday, May 15. Sweden, another Scandinavian country, followed suit hours later after its ruling Social Democrat Party also decided to end decades of military non-alignment.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin eagerly called the major policy shift the start of a "new era." President Joe Biden organized a joint call with Finland's leaders on Friday, May 13, to assist with their NATO application even though Turkey has forewarned it may veto the move.
On Monday, 15,000 troops from 14 NATO countries conducted a huge military drill in the Baltic region. Finnish and Swedish soldiers joined in the exercise called "Siil" or "Hedgehog," which took place just 40 miles from the nearest Russian base.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov issued a thinly veiled threat to Finland and Sweden, saying that the two Scandinavian countries "should have no illusions that we will simply resign ourselves to this."
State television supporting Putin also ridiculed the NATO hopefuls, hinting they only wanted to join because of fear. "Their official reason is fear. But they'll have more fear in NATO. When NATO bases appear in Sweden and Finland, Russia will have no choice but to neutralize the imbalance and new threat by deploying tactical nuclear weapons," a Rossiya One announcer said.
Follow WWWIII.news for more news related to the Russia-Ukraine War.
Watch this video of Russia's Iskander missile system deployment in Ukraine.
This video is from the Russia Truth channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Russia holds war games with simulated nuclear strikes against the EU.
Russia deploys unknown munition in Ukraine, baffling western military experts.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.