NATO countries bordering russia are purchasing long-range missiles and building defense lines – media

Strengthening defenses along the borders with russia and Belarus, all NATO countries from Finland to Poland are preparing long-range missiles, reports the russian public outlet Yozh on July 3, citing the Financial Times.

"It’s much easier to destroy a nest than to shoot birds in flight", - Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur told the paper.

Finland is in the best position, having lost about 10% of its territory as a result of the war with the USSR in 1939–1940 and World War II, and never ceasing to prepare for an attack from its eastern neighbor, FT writes. It is one of only a few European countries that possess long-range missiles in all three domains — land, sea, and air.

According to Lieutenant General Kari Nisula, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Finnish Defense Forces, the question for the army is not "if" but "when": "I must be ready every day".

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in June that moscow could be ready to use force against the alliance within five years. "Let’s not kid ourselves — we are all now on the eastern flank", - he said.

The Baltic states and Poland are also acquiring long-range missiles capable of striking deep into russian territory. In addition, all countries are constructing defense lines along the border, including fences, anti-tank trenches and hedgehogs, and firing positions, notes FT.