Finland is getting serious about protecting itself after Russia started expanding its influence and invaded Ukraine. Many Finns are now signing up for weapons training, which has become very popular. A shooting range in Kerava, just north of Helsinki, has seen its membership grow from around 1,000 to over 2,100 in just two years.
The chairman of the Vantaa Reservist Association, Antti Kettunen, noticed a change in people’s attitudes. He said many feel they need to learn self-defense skills. This shift comes after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, leaving many in Finland worried about their own safety.
Earlier this year, the Finnish government announced plans to open more than 300 new shooting ranges. Currently, there are about 670 ranges across the country. Lawmaker Jukka Kopra, who leads Finland’s defense committee, confirmed that interest in national defense has increased due to Russia’s actions.
In addition to shooting training, the National Defense Training Association reported hosting over 120,000 training days this year, which is more than double compared to three years ago. The national reservists’ group has also grown significantly, reaching over 50,000 members since the Ukraine invasion.
Unlike some European countries, Finland still has around 50,000 Cold War-era civil defense shelters, enough for about 85% of its 5.5 million people. Tomi Rask from Helsinki Rescue Services emphasized the need to prepare for the potential threats from neighboring countries.
At the shooting range, reservists and gun enthusiasts practice using Glock handguns on human-shaped targets. Some do it for fun, while others feel the need to be prepared because of Russia. Finland has a long history of conflicts with Russia, including fighting to gain independence in 1917 and facing Soviet forces during the Winter War in World War II. Kettunen compared learning to shoot to learning to swim: it’s better to be trained and ready before you need it.
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