NATO is not ready for a brutal Arctic war with Vladimir Putin, analysts have warned. Despite massive Nato drills in the region, troops will struggle to survive war in the freezing wilderness, they said. The Arctic security experts at the Centre for European Policy Analysis warned Russia is already "up to no good" in the region and that China must also "be kept in check".
![[The Jaeger Brigade is ultimate Arctic warfare force]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/r2rrej-soldier-finnish-jaeger-company-888416754.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Minna Ålander, a senior defence and security researcher, said Finland is preparing for full-scale war over concerns its 830-mile border with Russia could become a flashpoint if war-mad Putin sets his sights on the West. Thousands of Nato soldiers have repeatedly taken part in war drills in the region - with the most recent exercises, dubbed Dynamic Front 25, taking place in November.
![[US and Finnish special forces train together in the Arctic circle]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/u-s-special-forces-team-958276829.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
But Ålander said troops are not prepared to survive in the conditions. Speaking at an Arctic security briefing, she said: "We have [Nato] troops - but do they know how to survive in the Arctic before they even get into combat?. "Even the US does not fully necessarily have what it what it takes in terms of that basic training of troops and how you conduct normal operations under these specific circumstances.
![[Estonian troops join US and other Nato forces training in Finland]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/finnish-special-forces-winter-exe-958278833.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"Not all Nato allies have the capabilities that are needed and that work in the Arctic environment and climate. "It has very specific sort of requirements on simple things when it's very cold. “You can’t just do expeditionary operations with troops without the appropriate basing – because you are going to die from natural causes.".
![[Finnish soldier in full winter gear Finnish soldier in full winter gear]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/www-reddit-com-r-europe-958278927_02392c.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
