{"id":38800,"date":"2019-08-05T15:00:48","date_gmt":"2019-08-05T15:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/08\/05\/nordic-countries-see-russia-flex-its-missile-muscles\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:03:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:03:13","slug":"nordic-countries-see-russia-flex-its-missile-muscles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2019\/08\/05\/nordic-countries-see-russia-flex-its-missile-muscles\/","title":{"rendered":"Nordic countries see Russia flex its missile muscles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HELSINKI \u2014 The Nordic countries have scaled up monitoring against a surge in missile testing by Russia on its heavily militarized Kola Peninsula, home to Moscow\u2019s Northern Fleet and Arctic main combat forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The uptick in Nordic surveillance of Kola is also driven by the increase in Russian live-fire military exercises in the High North, and increasingly in areas close to the border with NATO-member Norway. The exercises have also featured simulated firings of anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine missiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April, the Northern Fleet warships Pyotr Velikiy and Marshal Ustinov conducted missile-firing tests north of Norway\u2019s Lofoten archipelago. In May, the warship Severomorsk tested missile and medium-range weapons systems in Russian waters close to Norway\u2019s northern coastline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia\u2019s High North maneuvers in April and May included the test launch of Kinzhal anti-air missiles (NATO code name: SA-N-9 Gauntlet).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Norway\u2019s military \u201cmaintains routine surveillance\u201d on Russian ships operating near the country\u2019s coast, said Lt. Col. Ivar Moen, a spokesman for the Norwegian Armed Forces. In the case of the Severomorsk, the ship was active in waters off the coastlines of the provinces Nordland and Troms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(Philip Kightlinger\/Staff)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Relations between Russia and its Nordic neighbors became strained in March when Norway and Finland accused Russia of intentionally disrupting GPS signals during NATO-led training exercises in the High North. Nordic governments filed protests with Moscow, claiming the jamming put both military and civilian aircraft operating in its northern territories at risk. NATO also pointed the finger at Russia when GPS signals were jammed during Trident Juncture exercises held in Norway in October and November 2018. In both instances, Moscow denied any involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Russia requested we show proof of GPS signals jamming, and we gave them the proof,\u201d said Frank Bakke-Jensen, Norway\u2019s defense minister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both NATO and the Nordic governments are also concerned over Russia\u2019s development of new nuclear-ready missiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moscow\u2019s neighborly relationship with Norway has also been negatively affected by the joint U.S.-Norwegian investment to upgrade the Vard\u00f8 radar station\u2019s Globus sensor, which conducts high-level surveillance of Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\t