Claims that there are weapons in the basement • The expert: Couldn’t have resisted NATO anyway
Since 1856, Åland has been a demilitarized zone – there must be no military forces or installations on the islands.
At the same time, the former Finnish brigade commander, Kjell Törner, claims that weapons are stored at the Russian consulate.
– If they were to have weapons in the basement, perhaps in order to be able to secure the building, then they would not have been able to withstand several fast-acting NATO forces, says Juhana Aunesluoma, professor of political history at the University of Helsinki.
As a result of the peace after the Crimean War, Åland became a demilitarized zone. In Paris in 1854, the decision was made on an international convention which means that neither Finland, nor any other power, may have any military forces or facilities on the island group in peacetime.
The conditions for Åland have led to debate in Finland, which has also changed in step with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Brigadier: Are there weapons in the basement
Despite the fact that Finland is not allowed to have any defense on Åland, there is a force within the Nyland brigade on the Finnish mainland whose task is to protect Åland. IN an interview with The Economist claims the former brigade commander, Kjell Törner that Russia has weapons on the demilitarized island group.
– It is speculation, Russia would never say anything about it and none of us have been able to get there. I don’t know anyone who has been there, says Törner Helsingin Sanomat and adds:
– But they would be stupid if they didn’t have weapons there.
Pekka Toveri, former head of the Finnish intelligence service, also questions why a loophole should be left open in the Finnish defense that “only benefits Russia”.
The expert: Russia would not have been able to resist anyway
At the same time, Juhana Aunesluoma, professor of political history at the University of Helsinki, believes that the Russian consulate is not used to the same extent as before.
– The consulate exists to observe Åland’s demilitarized status and is a bit of a historical relic. It also doesn’t seem to be properly staffed, says Aunesluoma to TV4 Nyheterna.
Even if there were weapons in the cellar, he doesn’t think there are enough to be able to take Åland.
– If they were to have weapons in the basement, perhaps with the aim of being able to secure the building, then they would not have been able to withstand several fast-acting NATO forces, says Aunesluoma.
According to Aunesluoma, the biggest threat posed by Russia in the Baltic Sea is not about direct military actions. It would rather take place in some form of hybrid warfare – although the Finnish military is preparing for all scenarios.
NATO entry has changed the discussion about Åland
Åland, located in the middle of the Baltic Sea, has a strategic location from a military perspective, although that may have changed as the Baltic Sea is almost completely surrounded by NATO countries.
Previously, there was a discussion in Finland about whether the Åland islands could actually be defended.
– The situation is easier now. Experts used to ask themselves whether there were realistic plans for a defense, but that was before both we and Sweden were in NATO, says Aunesluoma and adds:
– Russia does not have the opportunity to operate in the Baltic Sea.