Finland's Defensive Strategy Against Russia, with Adm. Juhani Kaskeala (Ret.)

As Finland finalizes its NATO bid, Adm. Juhani Kaskeala (ret.), former chief of defense of the Finnish Defense Forces, joins The Eastern Front to discuss how Finland defends itself against Russian aggression. Adm. Kaskeala explains that Russia primarily threatens Finland’s undersea communication cables and sea trade lanes, requiring the Baltic state to prioritize maritime security and create credible coastline and air defenses. Drawing from Adm. Kaskeala’s experience, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia ask important questions about the future of Finland: How much of does Russia’s Baltic fleet threaten Finland? Would more aid to Ukraine compromise Finland’s security? And does the Finnish industrial supply base meet demands for national security? Tune in to this week’s episode for a primer on the Finnish military, which has prioritized a strong defense since regaining independence from Russia in 1917.Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here.