The Karelia Brigade will lead the Karelian Stronghold 25 local defense exercise in the Kymenlaakso region in the areas of Kotka, Hamina, and Kouvola during 1.-5. September 2025.
The aim of the Karelian Stronghold 25 local defense exercise led by the Karelian Brigade is to develop the performance and cooperation of local forces, authorities, and other actors in the region in a situation of widespread influence and the readiness of local forces for target protection, surveillance, combat, rescue, and communications tasks. Army troops and equipment will be visible in the Kotka, Hamina, and Kouvola areas during the exercise. The exercise is led by Colonel Ari Määttä. The exercise has been coordinated regionally with the KAAKKO25 exercise implemented by the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland.
Approximately 900 people and 150 vehicles will participate in the exercise. In addition to the Karelia Brigade, troops from the Army Academy and the Virginia National Guard from the United States will also participate in the exercise.
As is typical for local defense exercises, a significant number of other authorities and business representatives will also participate in the exercises. The following authorities will participate in the Karelian Stronghold 25 local defense exercise. Etelä-Suomen aluehallintovirasto, Puolustuskiinteistöt, MPK, Väylävirasto, Kotkan kaupunki, Haminan kaupunki, Kaakkois-Suomen rajavartiosto, Kaakkois-Suomen Poliisilaitos, Kaakkois-Suomen elinkeino-, liikenne- ja ympäristökeskus, Kymenlaakson hyvinvointialue, Kymenlaakson pelastuslaitos, SOTE, Kymen Turva, Kymenlaakson Vesi, HaminaKotka Satama Oy, Kaakkois-Suomen Ammattikorkeakoulun (European Logistics Institute).
The expertise of local forces is developed in cooperation with other authorities, taking into account the principles and tasks of the forces. The exercise focuses on developing the expertise of the forces and securing critical sites and functions in the region in all security situations. The skills of local forces are developed in cooperation with other authorities, taking into account the principles and tasks of the forces. The exercise focuses on developing the skills of the forces and securing critical sites and functions in the area in all security situations.
The Karelian Stronghold 25 exercise is part of a series of local defense exercises led by the Army, which are held twice a year in different parts of Finland. The exercise can be followed on the social media channels of the Karelia Brigade and the Army Academy with the hashtags #KarelianSronghold25 and #paikallispuolustus.
Public event at Kotka Event Square
As part of the Karelian Stronghold 25 local defense exercise, a public event open to everyone will be held at Kotka tapahtuma-aukio (event square) on September 3, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The public event will feature equipment, authorities, a military home, and personnel participating in the exercise, who will talk about both the equipment and the exercise. Admission to the event is free.
Karelian Stronghold 25
Date: September 1–5, 2025
Training area: Kotka, Hamina, and Kouvola (Kymenlaakso)
Approximately 900 personnel
Approximately 150 vehicles
Participating authorities: Etelä-Suomen aluehallintovirasto, Puolustuskiinteistöt, MPK, Väylävirasto, Kotkan kaupunki, Haminan kaupunki, Kaakkois-Suomen rajavartiosto, Kaakkois-Suomen Poliisilaitos, Kaakkois-Suomen elinkeino-, liikenne- ja ympäristökeskus, Kymenlaakson hyvinvointialue, Kymenlaakson pelastuslaitos, SOTE, Kymen Turva, Kymenlaakson Vesi, HaminaKotka Satama Oy, Kaakkois-Suomen Ammattikorkeakoulun (European Logistics Institute).
Exercise commander: Colonel Ari Määttä
Exercise Public Affairs Officers: Axel Malén (Karelia Brigade) and Eve Huomanen (Army Academy)
