European countries are strengthening measures to prepare the population for possible military threats from Russia. The aggravation of the situation due to the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced several European countries to reconsider their approaches to civil defense.
The Guard reports it.
In particular, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Germany are taking active measures to increase the level of preparedness of the population for possible emergencies and military conflicts.
Germany is developing an application that will help find the nearest bunkers. The country has fewer than 600 public shelters, with capacity for 480,000 people, an insufficient figure for a population of 84 million. As part of a new plan to strengthen civil defense in the country, it is planned to build new shelters and adapt existing facilities such as subways and basements. Legislation will also be introduced to require the design of safe havens in new residential buildings.
In Sweden, authorities have distributed a brochure titled “If Crisis or War Comes,” which includes recommendations for stocking up on food, water, warm clothing, communications and the use of a battery-powered radio. The authorities emphasize that in the event of an external threat, each citizen is obliged to contribute to the defense of the country and its democratic foundations.
Finland, in turn, offered citizens guidance on how to prepare for crises. Residents are advised to monitor the supply of food, water and communications. A special website 72tuntia.fi teaches how to act in case of water shortages, forest fires and other emergencies. In response to threats, demand for war training courses and battery-powered radios increased.
Norway also produced a brochure on civil defense, which was sent to 2.6 million homes. It calls for maintaining a week’s supply of food, iodine tablets and cash, and also emphasizes digital security and protection against information threats.
The measures taken by European countries have provoked different reactions among citizens. Some support the initiative by replenishing water and food supplies, while others express concern that a lack of awareness and economic difficulties make it difficult to implement the government’s recommendations.
Experts warn that the threat of military conflict in Europe remains high. The inclusion of Finland and Sweden in NATO, the strengthening of defense and increased civilian preparedness confirm the seriousness of the threat perception in the region.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to threaten NATO. Russian missiles and drones have violated the airspace of Alliance countries several times. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to attack military facilities of the United States, Britain and France after Ukraine received permission to attack Russian territory with Western missiles.
At the same time, the head of NATO’s Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, stated that Russian troops no longer pose the same threat to the Alliance as they did in February 2022 and that the quality of the Russian military has deteriorated.
Recall that Kursor wrote that the Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko expressed his joy at the Russian attack with the Oreshnik hypersonic missile on the Ukrainian city of Dnepr and said that he would like to see this weapon on the territory of Belarus.
