Finland has staged Europe’s biggest civil defense exercise since World War II, putting thousands of people through crisis scenarios amid growing concern over a Russian military threat and suspected sabotage across Europe. More than 2,000 people, including volunteers, students and military conscripts, took part in the two-day Shelter 2026 exercise, held earlier this week in the central Finnish city of Kuopio. JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The drill centered on Luola, a vast underground sports complex built into rock that was converted into a civil defense shelter. Participants rehearsed how authorities would respond if cyberattacks knocked out electricity and water supplies, alongside a scenario involving possible missile strikes from Russia. The exercise also tested coordination between authorities, businesses, schools, volunteer groups and local residents during a major emergency. Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, joined NATO in 2023 following the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, ending decades of military non-alignment. Russia threat looms large The drill comes amid heightened concern across Europe over Russian military activity, cyberattacks and suspected sabotage. Last month, a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft was suspected of entering Finnish airspace over the Gulf of Finland for around three minutes, penetrating roughly 8.7 kilometers into the Nordic country’s territory.