<p>Finland is now the 31st member of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO. Finland's Foreign Minister signed the accession document and gave it to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, following which the country's flag will soon be raised at the NATO headquarters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With this, Russia's borders with NATO member countries have doubled in length.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Russia said on Tuesday that Finland's accession to the NATO military alliance was a dangerous historic mistake. It warned that the move would weaken security in the wider region, increase the risk of conflict, and force Moscow to take counter-measures.</p>

<p>Russia also branded Finland's NATO membership an "assault on our security".&nbsp;Kremlin added that it represented "the latest aggravation of the situation".</p>

<p>"The expansion of NATO is an assault on our security and Russia's national interests," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.</p>

<p>Russia has warned that it will take countermeasures.</p>

<p>"The Kremlin believes that this is the latest aggravation of the situation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "And this forces us to take countermeasures... in tactical and strategic terms."</p>

<p>In Moscow, pro-Kremlin activists held an anti-NATO demonstration outside the US&nbsp;Embassy. People held placards with slogans such as "Stop NATO" and "NATO is a sponsor of Nazism."</p>

<p>Finland has an eastern frontier with Russia spanning 1,340 kilometres. It formally applied for NATO membership along with Sweden last May following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both Sweden and Finland followed a non-alignment policy ever since Helsinki repelled an effort by the Soviet Union to invade the country during World War II. But the two countries sought the protection of NATO after the Ukraine invasion.&nbsp;The body's Article Five states that an attack on one member is an attack on all.</p>

<p>After Russia invaded Ukraine, public opinion polls showed an 80 per cent surge in favour of Finland joining NATO.</p>

<p>Ahead of Finland joining NATO,&nbsp;Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters,&nbsp;"This will make Finland safer and NATO stronger."</p>

<p>"President Putin had a declared goal of the invasion of NATO to get less NATO along its borders and no more membership in Europe, he's getting exactly the opposite."</p>

<p>Blinken also termed the event a historic day.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Finland is now the 31st member of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO. Finland's Foreign Minister signed the accession document and gave it to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, following which the country's flag will soon be raised at the NATO headquarters.

Finland is now the 31st member of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO. Finland's Foreign Minister signed the accession document and gave it to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, following which the country's flag will soon be raised at the NATO headquarters. With this, Russia's borders with NATO member countries have doubled in length. Meanwhile, Russia said on Tuesday that Finland's accession to the NATO military alliance was a dangerous historic mistake. It warned that the move would weaken security in the wider region, increase the risk of conflict, and force Moscow to take counter-measures. Russia also branded Finland's NATO membership an "assault on our security". Kremlin added that it represented "the latest aggravation of the situation". "The expansion of NATO is an assault on our security and Russia's national interests," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Russia has warned that it will take countermeasures. "The Kremlin believes that this is the latest aggravation of the situation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "And this forces us to take countermeasures... in tactical and strategic terms." In Moscow, pro-Kremlin activists held an anti-NATO demonstration outside the US Embassy. People held placards with slogans such as "Stop NATO" and "NATO is a sponsor of Nazism." Finland has an eastern frontier with Russia spanning 1,340 kilometres. It formally applied for NATO membership along with Sweden last May following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. × Both Sweden and Finland followed a non-alignment policy ever since Helsinki repelled an effort by the Soviet Union to invade the country during World War II. But the two countries sought the protection of NATO after the Ukraine invasion. The body's Article Five states that an attack on one member is an attack on all. After Russia invaded Ukraine, public opinion polls showed an 80 per cent surge in favour of Finland joining NATO. Ahead of Finland joining NATO, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters, "This will make Finland safer and NATO stronger." "President Putin had a declared goal of the invasion of NATO to get less NATO along its borders and no more membership in Europe, he's getting exactly the opposite." Blinken also termed the event a historic day. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Finland becomes 31st NATO member as Russia calls it 'dangerous historic mistake'

<p><em>Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.</em></p>

<p>Just days after Finland announced it was ready to join NATO, reports claim&nbsp;Russia has been moving nuclear-capable missiles to the Finnish border.</p>

<p>Reports said at least seven Iskander missiles were spotted along Russia's Vyborg town.</p>

<p>Russia had reportedly parked the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) systems near the Ukraine border before the February 24 invasion.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accused-of-cyberattack-on-american-company-just-before-invading-ukraine-479733">Also Read:&nbsp;Russia accused of cyberattack on American company just before invading Ukraine</a></p>

<p>Ukraine's defence ministry had claimed at least 36 Iskander launchers were deployed along the border.</p>

<p>In 2018, Russia had deployed nuclear-capable missiles in Kaliningrad. The short-range Iskander missiles has a range of 500 km and can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads.</p>

<p>The Iskander-K can fire cruise missiles and has bunker-busting capabilities including cluster munitions warhead.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Over 260 Ukrainian soldiers evacuated from Azovstal</strong></p>

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<p>Before the Ukraine invasion, satellite pictures had revealed Russia had deployed 15 Su-25 ground attack aircraft and S-400 air defence system at Luninets airfield along with the SS26 Iskander missiles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last monthy Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, had said that if Sweden and Finland joined NATO then Russia would deploy nuclear and hypersonic missiles to strengthen its Blatic Sea defence.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Kremlin said it had expelled two employees in Finland's embassy after two Russian diplomats were expelled by Helsinki. Kremlin said Finland had taken a "confrontational course" towards Russia.</p>

<p>Both Finland and Sweden had informed the NATO alliance that they would like to join the military group as Russia continues its operation against Ukraine.</p>

<p>On Monday, Sweden said it was ready to join NATO setting aside decades of neutrality as Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson declared: "We are leaving one era and beginning another".</p>

<p>However, President Vladimir Putin warned the two countries informing that it may lead to a "response".</p>

<p>It poses "no direct threat for us... but the expansion of military infrastructure to these territories will certainly provoke our response," Putin said.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Just days after Finland announced it was ready to join NATO, reports claim Russia has been moving nuclear-capable missiles to the Finnish border. Reports said at least seven Iskander missiles were spotted along Russia's Vyborg town. Russia had reportedly parked the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) systems near the Ukraine border before the February 24 invasion. Also Read: Russia accused of cyberattack on American company just before invading Ukraine Ukraine's defence ministry had claimed at least 36 Iskander launchers were deployed along the border. In 2018, Russia had deployed nuclear-capable missiles in Kaliningrad. The short-range Iskander missiles has a range of 500 km and can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads. The Iskander-K can fire cruise missiles and has bunker-busting capabilities including cluster munitions warhead. Watch: Over 260 Ukrainian soldiers evacuated from Azovstal Before the Ukraine invasion, satellite pictures had revealed Russia had deployed 15 Su-25 ground attack aircraft and S-400 air defence system at Luninets airfield along with the SS26 Iskander missiles. Last monthy Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, had said that if Sweden and Finland joined NATO then Russia would deploy nuclear and hypersonic missiles to strengthen its Blatic Sea defence. Meanwhile, Kremlin said it had expelled two employees in Finland's embassy after two Russian diplomats were expelled by Helsinki. Kremlin said Finland had taken a "confrontational course" towards Russia. Both Finland and Sweden had informed the NATO alliance that they would like to join the military group as Russia continues its operation against Ukraine. On Monday, Sweden said it was ready to join NATO setting aside decades of neutrality as Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson declared: "We are leaving one era and beginning another". However, President Vladimir Putin warned the two countries informing that it may lead to a "response". It poses "no direct threat for us... but the expansion of military infrastructure to these territories will certainly provoke our response," Putin said. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE × You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia sends nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to Finland's border: Report

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Finland becomes 31st NATO member as Russia calls it 'dangerous historic mistake'

Russia sends nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to Finland's border: Report