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Henri Vanhanen wrote that Finland should take seriously Russia's alleged plans to assassinate leaders of the European defense industry. According to him, European intelligence services had warned that Russia had intensified its assassination plots targeting business executives. Possible targets included not only large arms manufacturers but also smaller defense technology companies, especially manufacturers of drones and their components. Vanhanen referred to a plan revealed in 2024 to assassinate Armin Papperger, CEO of the German company Rheinmetall. He wrote that more recent intelligence data indicated broader and more systematic actions beyond individual cases. According to Vanhanen, Russia's intention was to undermine the European defense industry, intimidate its business leaders, complicate support for Ukraine, and disrupt the strengthening of Europe's defense capabilities. Vanhanen urged an urgent assessment of whether the protection of key personnel in Finland's defense industry is adequate. He suggested that the security police, police, and defense administration work together with companies to identify individuals at special risk and ensure preemptive action against threats. He proposed, if necessary, strengthening personal protection, enhancing counterintelligence efforts against companies, and improving information sharing among authorities. According to Vanhanen, Finland should not wait for the first attack on its territory before preparing. https://t.co/xVZMYe1R7e #Puolustusteollisuus #Venäjä #Suomi (translated)

Henri Vanhanen wrote that Donald Trump's Russia policy may not have been guided by a coherent strategy. According to him, Trump made decisions one by one, seeking quick political gains, and then had to fix the consequences. In his assessment, Vanhanen linked Trump's diminished commitment to arming Ukraine, the energy price increases resulting from the war in Iran, and the recent diesel trade with Russia. He believed that trade could bolster the Russian economy and give Vladimir Putin a means to pressure Ukraine into halting strikes on Russia's oil refineries. Vanhanen also criticized Trump for condemning strikes that he claimed weakened Russia's war economy. Vanhanen noted that Trump’s administration had not sought significant new funding from Congress for arming Ukraine. According to him, previously agreed deliveries had continued, and European countries had purchased American weapons for Ukraine. He stated that Trump was not fundamentally on the side of Ukraine or Europe but was primarily pursuing his own interests. According to Vanhanen, Finland's security should not be built on the assumption that there is a plan behind Trump's decisions that would turn in favor of Europe. He urged preparedness for the possibility that U.S. aid could be delayed or smaller than expected, to strengthen the availability of defense equipment and air defense, and to deepen cooperation with Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Britain, Poland, and the Baltic countries. He also believed that Europe should be able to support Ukraine and maintain economic pressure on Russia by its own means. #Trump #Venäjä #Ukraina (translated)

The author described the article as dealing with how the attacker aimed to undermine Finland's defensive capabilities even during peacetime. According to him, the goal of the hostile influence was to prevent Finland from acquiring the necessary amount of David's Sling missile defense launchers from Israel. #Suomi #puolustus #turvallisuus #FI #IL (translated)

Antti Häkkänen stated that Finland had decided to supply defense material support based on an urgent request from Ukraine as a single product batch. According to him, Finland would continue to support Ukraine, and preparations for the next, broader support package were already underway. https://t.co/jPAeWPvPcA #Ukraina #Puolustus #Solidaarisuus (translated)

Henri Vanhanen recalled working in the parliament in February 2022 when Russia launched its full-scale attack on Ukraine. According to him, Finland had not yet sent defense aid to Ukraine at that time. Vanhanen stated that he had suggested to the National Coalition Party’s parliamentary group that the government should be required to provide military assistance. Vanhanen wrote that Finland was sending its 35th defense assistance package to Ukraine and had delivered defense materials worth approximately 3.6 billion euros to the country. He described the support as a long-term national commitment that had been continued across government terms and party lines. According to Vanhanen, supporting Ukraine's defense was also necessary for Finland's security. He assessed that the repelled Russian attacks in Ukraine would reduce Russia's ability to threaten other countries in Europe. Vanhanen wrote that Finland's support should continue for as long as it was needed. https://t.co/SGRsbSx53P #Ukraina #Suomi #Puolustusapu (translated)

Training helps ensure a safe, secure, effective, and credible ability to maintain peace, deter pressure, and prevent attacks. It also sends a clear message of unity and determination, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says in a statement. #Ydinpelote #Nato #Puolustusvoimat (translated)

Timo Herranen wrote that no new radar was coming for or planned for Finland's F-35 aircraft, as they already had a highly capable APG-81 according to him. He added that this had been communicated to the reporters of Helsingin Sanomat countless times, but it still returned to the stories. #puolustus #F35 #Suomi (translated)

The author believes that drones will not resolve the war, but they can cause significant losses if people do not learn to operate with them. He regarded the matter as serious and emphasized that nothing is more valuable than the life and health of a Finnish reservist. #draonit #suojelu #puolustus #FI (translated)

The author believed that the fighter who flew drones in Ukraine should be appreciated and thanked for his sacrifices. According to him, however, a defense system could not be built solely on the vision and experience of one drone pilot, but experiences should be utilized at a tactical level. #Ukraina #defensiivisyys #taktinenjohtaminen #FI #UA (translated)

Henri Vanhanen warned about Finland's security and wrote that according to Denmark's Security and Intelligence Service PET, Russia had begun sabotage operations against Danish defense companies. According to him, companies supplying weapons and equipment to Ukraine were particularly targeted. Vanhanen stated that PET assessed that Moscow had aimed to reduce European support for Ukraine through intimidation and harassment and was now trying to harm weapons production and supply chains. Vanhanen wrote that perpetrators of the strikes were recruited via social media and were first paid for photographing and gathering intelligence on targets, and later for sabotage. According to him, this allowed operations without the direct involvement of Russian intelligence officers. He warned that Russia aimed to extend the effects of the war to NATO countries and also assessed that Finland's defense industry's production facilities, subcontractors, personnel, and supply chains could be targets. Vanhanen believed that protecting them required cooperation between companies and authorities, and urged NATO to assess when individual sabotage attacks would constitute a systematic campaign against the alliance's defense capability. https://t.co/CgjnDAjDhY #Turvallisuus #Ukraina #Venäjä (translated)

According to the author, the parliament approved today a support of 400,000 euros for those laid off from Valmet's car factory. He mentioned that Patria had ordered armored vehicles from the company, which he believes will also be reflected in employment. The author described the increase in European defense spending as an opportunity for Finnish factories. #työllisyys #puolustus #teollisuus #FI (translated)

Henri Vanhanen wrote that an armed and masked group had infiltrated Latvia, a NATO member, from Belarus. According to him, the armed men had first attempted to force about 20 migrants across the border and threatened Latvian soldiers. Later, masked individuals had damaged border infrastructure and taken surveillance cameras before returning to Belarus. Vanhanen stated that Latvian authorities had confirmed the events, but the identity of the infiltrators and any possible connection to the Belarusian or Russian state were still under investigation. Vanhanen regarded the events as a reminder that the next crisis at Finland's eastern border could differ from the events of 2023. He called for preparation against armed provocations, sabotage, and deliberate border crossings, and highlighted the resources available at the border, the operations of the Border Guard, and the speed of decision-making in the Defense Forces. He wrote that the integrity of the national border could not be negotiable and that there must be an immediate response to deliberate border crossings. https://t.co/8BnhxJJ5jb #Latvia #Nato #kriisi (translated)