War in Ukraine: in Finland, reservists on the alert


REPORT

A few military cans on a shelf, a camouflage jacket in the Finnish forests, books on long-distance shooting… like 800,000 other reservists, Tuomas is preparing for the worst. In Finland, tensions are escalating with Russia, due to the country’s desire to join NATO. In Helsinki, reservists stand ready in case of conflict with their neighbor, Russia.

This lawyer in an impeccable shirt has been a reservist for 12 years. For him, committing to his nation is natural. “How could I not be?” Tuomas asks us. “My grandfather was in the Winter War, then the Continuation War. It was always clear to me. Military service and what we do in Finland.”

© Caroline Baudy/Europe 1

Is he ready to fight? “Yes, of course!” exclaims Tuomas. “We have this thing in Finland. You have to go. The next guy has to go, we all have to go together. I’m happy to join NATO, I’ve been waiting for this for 15 years. It will be safer for everyone.” On Saturday, he will train at a shooting session with new volunteers.

Reservists from all walks of life

Every day, a dozen people write to the National Defense Training Association. “Just after February 24, from the following week, many people joined us,” says Hossi, one of the members, to Europe 1. “Young people, more mature people, men, women and even a construction worker next to an unemployed person or a doctor. With the security situation being what it is, people are very motivated to act.”

Last March, five times more Finns learned to handle weapons than during the same period a year ago.



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