Norway Is Strengthening Border With Russia

In view of possible threats, Norway is introducing enhanced border security measures in the east of Finnmark province, where it shares a common border with Russia.

This was reported by NRK.

Tone Wangen, responsible for emergency preparedness at the Norwegian Police Directorate, said that security measures would be strengthened at the Storskog border crossing in eastern Finnmark, Norway's only border crossing with Russia.

‘In light of the challenging security situation, coupled with ongoing technological developments, various measures have been initiated to strengthen and modernise Norway's border controls with Russia,’ he said.

Wangen recalled the situation in 2015, when several thousand migrants tried to enter Norway from Russian territory, and drew attention to the security measures implemented by Finland, which faced such a hybrid attack last year.

‘Therefore, at the Storskog border crossing point, we are planning security measures around the facility. Our goal is to be better prepared in case of a new wave of migrants from Russia,’ explained a representative of the Norwegian Police Directorate.

He added that drones are planned to be used to monitor the Norwegian-Russian border in the future, and are currently being tested.

Norway also plans to more actively engage the army to guard the nearly 200-kilometre border with Russia and will fully form a brigade by 2036.

Norway's ground forces in the region will also be reinforced with new battalions, an engineering and reconnaissance company, and an air defence combat team.

Last year, Norway repeatedly declared its readiness to shut down the only checkpoint on the border with Russia if necessary.