The FSB And The National Guard Have Begun Preparing For Combat Operations In The Leningrad Region

Russia is preparing for an "invasion" of Finland and Estonia.

In the Leningrad Region, which borders Finland and Estonia, security forces conducted the “Sodruzhestvo 2026” exercises to counter a potential invasion of Russian territory. Units from the Russian Guard’s Northwestern District and officers from the regional border guard administration of the FSB took part in the exercises. They practiced searching for, pursuing, and detaining members of a simulated sabotage and reconnaissance group (SRG) that had crossed the state border. Among other things, they trained to block off areas and routes used by the group, reports The Moscow Times.

In one of the videos released by the Russian National Guard, security forces drive up to a bus, smash a window, and force their way inside, after which they lead the “detainees” out with a gun held to their heads. In another video, they fire a mortar at targets simulating the positions of a hypothetical enemy.

In May, the head of the FSB Border Service Vladimir Kulishov accused Finland and Estonia of violating border treaties with Russia and stated that “provocative actions” on their part were on the rise. According to him, Finland is installing engineering barriers in locations not provided for in the agreement, while Estonia is deviating from the agreements on the delimitation of maritime areas. Kulishov stated that these “initiatives create conditions for conflict situations” and are forcing Russia to prepare “for various possible scenarios.”

In late June, authorities in the Murmansk Region, which borders Finland and Norway, reported “activity by foreign sabotage groups.” Checkpoints were set up on the region’s roads, and comprehensive inspections of trucks—including the use of service dogs—were implemented.

On July 1, Russia closed railway border crossings on the borders with Finland, Latvia, and Estonia. The reasons for the decision were not specified. Finland closed all road border crossings with Russia back in 2023.

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