Russia has initiated the construction of its first entirely new military base in Novaya Vilga, located near Petrozavodsk close to the eastern border of Finland. This development has been confirmed by military expert and former Finnish intelligence officer Marko Eklund.
Estimates suggest that the base will accommodate between 4,000 and 6,000 military personnel. Construction began in the spring and is progressing rapidly, with around ten large barracks already under construction.
The scale of this new military facility is notable, especially considering that previous efforts in Petrozavodsk focused on renovating older military sites. Initial reports about the base emerged in January, although the exact location was not disclosed at that time.
The base is being built in a forested area, with satellite images from November 2025 showing the first signs of deforestation. Groundwork commenced last winter.
Eklund identified the construction site based on a Russian document detailing plans to connect the new military area to Petrozavodsk’s water supply and sewage systems. The estimated cost for these works is approximately €5.9 million.
Public knowledge of the construction only surfaced a week ago when Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Fradkov inspected the site. According to Russian authorities, the facility will include over 50 different structures, such as barracks, residential apartment buildings, and sports facilities.
The new base is strategically located near Petrozavodsk to facilitate the recruitment of contract soldiers and their families, as attracting them to remote areas would pose challenges. The surrounding dense forest allows for future expansion, with training grounds situated close to the barracks.
Eklund described the barrack buildings as typical of Russian construction, featuring three to four stories. He noted that military construction is still in its early stages, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine hampers Russia’s ability to rapidly increase its military presence near the Finnish border.
“A modern army cannot be built on rusty tanks from Siberian ranges, so this will take a significant amount of time and money,” Eklund stated.
He emphasized that the construction of military facilities in Karelia is part of a broader effort to bolster Russian military capabilities along the entire NATO border. Eklund remarked, “The number of combat ground forces is indeed increasing significantly.”
However, he cautioned that this military buildup poses a potential threat to Finland, as the combat capabilities of the Russian army will be greatly enhanced. “The threat arises from intent and capability. Capabilities will significantly increase once these forces are established,” Eklund explained.
Despite this, he indicated that the process will not be immediate; infrastructure must be built, equipment procured, personnel recruited and trained before these forces can operate effectively.
Russia has commenced the construction of a new military base in Novaya Vilga, which is set to host thousands of troops. This initiative reflects a broader strategy to enhance military capabilities near the Finnish border, raising concerns about potential threats to Finland as the Russian military expands its presence.
Source: Yle