Finland denies redeployment of forces along Russian border

Helsinki

Finland's defence minister on Wednesday denied recent reports that his country is planning to deploy rapid response units along its border with Russia, amid intense regional tensions over the crisis in Ukraine.

"We don't have any new units, and during peacetime no redeployment of units is happening," Jussi Niinisto said.

Reports of such plans popped up in Russian media last weekend, after a US-based defence weekly published a story claiming the Nordic non-NATO member planned to deploy new units near its 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia. Niinisto called the claims "typical disinformation", and said recent quotes had been taken out of context.

Finland's military announced in June it was planning a quicker call-up system for reservists due to the Ukraine crisis and increased Russian military activity in the Baltic Sea area.Finland has tried to maintain good relations with its powerful neighbour since the end of World War II.