Finland’s nuclear power bunker on standby when Helsinki joins Sweden in NATO accession | Science | News
The news comes when the traditionally neutral Scandinavian nations break with years of history to join the almost 32-strong pact. With the accession, Helsinki and Stockholm will take in almost one million extra personnel consisting of both on-duty and reserve forces, as well as an important geostrategic site for NATO at the very border with Russia.
Still, membership in the alliance comes with the fear that Russia will act on its fiery rhetoric about using nuclear weapons.
Russian media have previously boasted of their SATAN 2 (Sarmat) missile – which can carry up to fourteen warheads, can reach Finland in a matter of seconds.
But there is a nuclear bunker that aims to protect key officials and citizens in Finland, where the facility’s guardians give a tour of the bunker to cameras.
Equipped with all the important components to survive a nuclear explosion, the hidden facility boasts sports equipment, a trampoline park, a soccer field and water and air purification units.
The secret bunker holds up to 6,000 people and was built by Finnish authorities in 2003.
With the risk of radiation as a major factor after a nuclear attack, the bunker is designed to absorb direct radiation from the blast into the thick bedrock, while air filters remove precipitation radiation after the explosion.
In addition, a series of decontamination units are included, designed to scrub those arriving at the facility to ensure maximum sterility.
Although the bunker is not yet used for its intended purpose, the sports facilities are used by residents who want to use the complex.
Food is not delivered by the bunker, as the guardian explains that people can survive for up to three weeks without food.
In a frightening warning, the guardian says: “This is not a hotel, we do not provide breakfast facilities, we are here just to keep you alive.”
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NATO concluded accession talks with the two new members today after initial fears from Turkey, which stated that both nations harbor terrorists, ranging from Turkish PKK members to MEK cult members.
Both Finland and Sweden formally reaffirmed their willingness and ability to meet the political, legal and military obligations and commitments of NATO membership.
Included in these terms is the ability to contribute at least two percent of GDP to defense spending, as well as providing assurances that national borders can be well protected.
The Finnish delegation was led by Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen, the Swedish delegation was led by Foreign Minister Ann Linde.
The meetings for each country were chaired by NATO’s Deputy Secretary – General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Ambassador Bettina Cadenbach.
Following the conclusion of the talks, the Allies will sign the accession protocols for Finland and Sweden at NATO Headquarters on Tuesday.
The accession protocols will then go to all NATO countries for ratification, according to their national procedures.
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The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson has welcomed Finland’s and Sweden’s application to join the bloc, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued new warnings that Russia would respond in kind if NATO establishes military infrastructure in Finland and Sweden after joining.
Speaking about the Swedish and Finnish plans to join NATO, Putin said: “We have no problems with Sweden and Finland that we have with Ukraine.
“If Finland and Sweden want, they can join. It’s up to them. They can go with whatever they want. “
However, he warned: “If military contingents and military infrastructure were to be deployed there, we would be obliged to react symmetrically and address the same threats to the territories where threats have arisen for us.”
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A statement issued at the NATO summit in Madrid stated that “the accession of Finland and Sweden will make them (the Allies) more secure, NATO stronger and the Euro-Atlantic area safer”.
Although NATO members are actively helping Ukraine in the war, Kyiv has repeatedly seen its application to join the alliance blocked by NATO members.
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