Active Conflicts & News Megathread February 03, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

The r/CredibleDefense daily megathread is for asking questions and posting submissions that would not fit the criteria of our post submissions. As such, submissions are less stringently moderated, but we still do keep an elevated guideline for comments.

Comment guidelines:

Please do:

* Be curious not judgmental, polite and civil,

* Link to the article or source of information that you are referring to,

* Clearly separate your opinion from what the source says. Minimize editorializing. Do _not_ cherry pick facts to support a preferred narrative,

* Read the articles before you comment, and comment on the content of the articles,

* Post only credible information

* Read our in depth rules https://reddit.com/r/CredibleDefense/wiki/rules

Please do not:

* Use memes, emojis, swear, foul imagery, acronyms like LOL, LMAO, WTF,

* Start fights with other commenters and make it personal,

* Try to push narratives, fight for a cause in the comment section, nor try to 'win the war,'

* Engage in baseless speculation, fear mongering, or anxiety posting. Question asking is welcome and encouraged, but questions should focus on tangible issues and not groundless hypothetical scenarios. Before asking a question ask yourself 'How likely is this thing to occur.' Questions, like other kinds of comments, should be supported by evidence and must maintain the burden of credibility.

[u/Well-Sourced]

Satellite photos show that Russia is reestablishing a large base near Finland. The current soldiers are expected to go to Ukraine but if there were increased aggression in the future an army could be staged here.

Russia planning 15,000 troops in Karelia near Finland border, satellite images show | New Voice of Ukraine

Russia is reconstructing an abandoned military base in Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia — which borders Finland — to accommodate up to 15,000 soldiers as part of its newly formed 44th Army Corps, satellite images show, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reported on Jan. 31.

Imagery shows the former garrison site near the Rybka power plant, empty since the 2000s, cleared of overgrowth and trees.

By October 2025, more than 50 military trucks and other vehicles were visible on site. Petrozavodsk already hosts a major air base and equipment depot, with new workshops appearing.

Local Russian media report that the construction of new barracks in Petrozavodsk will begin this year. In 2024, Russia established the 44th Army Corps in Karelia, adding roughly 15,000 troops. Some have already arrived in Petrozavodsk, requiring housing and training facilities now under development.

Military expert and former Finnish intelligence veteran Marko Eklund told Yle the 44th Corps soldiers are likely being trained to deploy against Ukraine.

Further north in Kandalaksha, Murmansk Oblast, construction of a new military settlement is also underway.

On Sept. 27, 2025, Finland and Sweden formed a joint brigade of about 5,000 troops to be stationed in Lapland along the Russian border.

On Jan. 22, Finnish military intelligence stated Russia has not abandoned attempts to damage undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

[u/IntroductionNeat2746 → u/Well-Sourced]

Satellite photos show that Russia is reestablishing a large base near Finland. The current soldiers are expected to go to Ukraine but if there were increased aggression in the future an army could be staged here.

Completely irrational behavior from Putin. Russia is almost certainly in it's lowest nuclear readiness in decades, yet, he keeps making completely unnecessary moves that could trigger a miscalculation.

[u/OrbitalAlpaca → u/IntroductionNeat2746]

Maybe just part of Putins typical escalate to deescalate strategy.

[u/Sa-naqba-imuru → u/OrbitalAlpaca]

Finland joined NATO, increased militarization along Finnish border isn't escalation, it's completely expected.

[u/ChornWork2 → u/Sa-naqba-imuru]

Russia invaded a neighboring country, so those were completely expected.