Russia begins exercising defense of northwestern borders after Finland joins NATO

This was stated by the commander of the Russian air defense forces, Lieutenant General Andrey Dyomin, Russian RIA Novosti report. 

"Finland has joined NATO. Sweden is preparing to join the alliance. In these conditions, the air defense forces are working on issues related to the defense of the state border in the northwest of the country due to the increase in threats," said Dyomin.

• In 2022, Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO after Russia's open attack on Ukraine, but faced unexpected objections from Turkey. Later, before the official opening of the NATO summit in Madrid, Ankara agreed to the entry of Sweden and Finland into the North Atlantic Alliance.

• On April 4, 2023, Finland officially became the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. However, according to Bloomberg, Finland is unlikely to host a NATO combat group on its territory.

• In Russia, commenting on Finland's accession to NATO, they declared an encroachment on the country's security and interests and threatened to take retaliatory measures.