Some conscripts were diagnosed with second-degree frostbite (with skin blisters), but according to the command, the exercises took place in accordance with the regulations.
How many conscripts suffered from frostbite?
What were the lowest temperatures during exercise?
What were some conscripts diagnosed with?
Where is the Lapland unit of the Finnish army located?
The Lapland unit, with bases in Rovaniemi and Sodankylia above the Arctic Circle, is the northernmost formation of the Finnish land forces. It specializes in operating at extremely low temperatures, including during the Arctic polar night.
Elite soldiers of Finland with frostbite. They practiced in the freezing cold
The exercises took place in early January, during one of the longest cold waves in years, when temperatures in the north of the country remained at 30-40 degrees below zero for many consecutive days. According to the armed forces, such conditions had an impact on the incident.
Every year, approximately 2,000 people receive military training in the Lappish unit. Finns. In Finland, individual units do not have a fixed number of soldiers because the army is based on general conscription and reserves.
Currently, in Finland, which has a population of 5.5 million, approximately 870,000 remain in reserve. citizens. For the duration of the war, the size of the armed forces is estimated at 280,000. soldiers, whose numbers are supplemented as necessary with reserve forces.
In 2031, due to the reform of the upper age limit for reservists carried out at the end of 2025 (from the current age of 50 to 65), the size of the reserve will increase to approximately 1 million Finns.
Under the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed with the United States in 2023, which specifies the conditions for the presence of American troops in Finland as well as the use of airports and ports, the US armed forces will also be able to use this, considered to be an elite, Sámi unit.
