Norway and allies back new NATO deployment in Finland, government commits 6.5 billion kroner to supplying drones for Ukraine, and other news from the country on Wednesday.
Norway joins UK, France, and Denmark in strengthening NATO forces in Finland
Norway, along with the United Kingdom, France, and Denmark, will contribute to the formation of a new NATO ground force based in Finland, the Finnish Ministry of Defence announced in a press release.
The initiative marks a significant step in Finland’s growing role within the alliance since becoming a NATO member in April 2023.
Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen revealed that negotiations with Sweden and other NATO allies have been ongoing for some time.
“I am very pleased that such important and close allies are contributing to the development of the ground forces in Finland. This sends a strong signal that Europe is taking responsibility in NATO,” Häkkänen said.
The new NATO ground forces will be primarily stationed in Rovaniemi and Sodankylä in northern Finland and are expected to begin operations in 2025.
Government allocates 6.5 billion kroner for drone support to Ukraine
Norway will invest 6.5 billion kroner in the purchase of drones for Ukraine, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced in a press release, describing drones as “absolutely crucial” in Ukraine’s defence against Russia.
“Drones are important for protecting critical infrastructure and for operations on the front line,” Støre said.
The purchase is part of an international collaboration launched in April to supply drones and boost Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
Norway’s contribution will initially focus on acquiring drones from abroad, with the aim of enhancing Ukraine’s surveillance and operational capacity.
The drone initiative is a component of Norway’s broader Nansen program, which includes 85 billion kroner in support for Ukraine in 2025.
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Norwegian man arrested in Thailand for alleged crossbow attack
A Norwegian citizen has been arrested in Thailand, suspected of attempting to kill a woman with a crossbow, according to multiple Thai media reports.
The incident took place on the night of June 19th on the island of Koh Samui.
The woman, who is also a Norwegian citizen, was reportedly on the phone with emergency services when the man allegedly fired a crossbow at her.
The arrow struck her phone, and she escaped unharmed.
Thai police issued an arrest warrant for the suspect on Monday. He was later arrested at a bus station.
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Climate activists ordered to pay 1.2 million kroner in damages for ministry protest
Two climate activists in Norway have been sentenced to community service and ordered to pay approximately 1.2 million kroner in damages after spraying orange paint on the facade of the Ministry of Climate and Environment in Oslo.
The incident occurred on November 2nd, 2023, when Fridtjof Klareng Dale and Esther Hjerrild carried out the act as a protest against Norwegian oil activities.
Initially, they were sentenced by the Oslo District Court in 2024 to 19 days in prison and fined 200,000 kroner. However, the prosecution appealed the verdict, seeking a harsher sentence.
On Tuesday, the Borgarting Court of Appeal ruled that Dale and Hjerrild must complete 42 and 40 hours of community service, respectively, and significantly increased the compensation amount to 1.2 million kroner, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) reported.
Hjerrild’s lawyer, Bendik Falch-Koslung, noted the mixed outcome of the ruling: “The sentence is both milder and stricter. While prison time has been replaced with community service, the compensation is far higher than expected.”
He added that an appeal is being considered, and a decision will be made within the 14-day deadline.
According to TV 2, the building’s owner incurred 2.4 million kroner in cleaning costs. The activists reportedly believed the damage would cost no more than 30,000 kroner.
The case was prosecuted on behalf of an insurance company.