Latest News from The New Backyard

Norway

Chinese-owned ship remains detained in northern Norway

The Chinese-owned Ya Qing Hai Yang remains detained in Andfjord, northern Norway, the Norwegian Maritime Authority confirmed on October 21. Problems with its flag registration and certificates must be resolved before the inspection can be completed.

Communications director Dag Inge Aarhus told The New Backyard that inspectors identified the deficiencies during a routine port state inspection on October 13. The owner must secure valid registration and certificates from the vessel’s new flag state.

A second Chinese-owned vessel, Jian Yang Cheng He, is also anchored in the fjord. Both ships sought shelter from poor weather. The authority plans to inspect the second vessel when conditions allow.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration’s vessel traffic service in Vardø is monitoring the situation. The authority provided its latest update to the newsroom on Wednesday morning.

Students to train for fires, severe bleeding and cardiac arrest

Hustadvika Upper Secondary School will bring civilian and military preparedness organizations together on October 28 to teach first-year students practical emergency skills.

The school in western Norway and the Møre og Romsdal Civil Defence District are organizing the event. A program distributed on October 21 includes firefighting, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bleeding control and psychological first aid. Students will also take part in a crisis simulation game.

Police, firefighters, the Home Guard, Civil Defence, local government, the Red Cross and Norwegian People’s Aidwill participate. The aim is to give young people useful skills and greater confidence in preparing themselves and their families for emergencies.

Two researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology will attend through Empower-Citizens, a project examining how residents’ knowledge and exercise experience can improve emergency planning.

Norway tightens restrictions on Russian finance and military industry

New Norwegian sanctions against Russia take effect on October 21, targeting financial services, oil-related business and supplies supporting the Russian military industry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the regulatory changes on Tuesday evening. They implement further elements of the European Union’s 21st sanctions package in Norwegian law.

The measures extend transaction restrictions to 33 Russian credit and financial institutions and impose export restrictions on 51 additional entities. Controlled goods now include further drone equipment and components, including ground equipment, launch systems and servomotors.

The government aims to restrict Russia’s access to money, technology and equipment used in its war against Ukraine. These measures follow designations of individuals, companies and shadow-fleet vessels implemented in August.

Nordic countries develop a joint evacuation plan for health services

The Nordic countries are examining a joint evacuation plan for health and social care services, Norwegian minister Åsmund Aukrust told parliament on October 20.

The Nordic health preparedness group is leading the work. The initiative is intended to improve cooperation when a crisis requires people to be evacuated and care capacity to be shared across national borders.

A parallel project aims to make cross-border healthcare easier to deliver. Both initiatives will continue during Norway’s presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2027.

Aukrust placed the work within a broader effort to strengthen regional preparedness as the security environment deteriorates. The evacuation arrangements remain under development, with practical organization and reception capacity forming part of the planning.

Sweden

Two thousand participants test cross-border crisis response

Around 2,000 participants are training together in Grenskraft 2026, a civilian and military preparedness exercise taking place on both sides of the Norwegian-Swedish border.

Approximately 40 organizations are involved, including around 1,500 soldiers in the field. Exercise activity reported on October 20 included emergency crews treating casualties following a simulated bus crash.

One scenario takes place in Trysil, Norway, close to Sweden’s Malung-Sälen municipality. Participants must coordinate assistance, resources and information across national borders and between civilian services and military units.

Exercise director Sanna Fernkvist Melin emphasizes the importance of knowing the organizations and people expected to work together during a crisis. Grenskraft is the first cross-border total defence exercise between the two countries since Sweden joined NATO.

Uncrewed vessels to strengthen Swedish maritime surveillance

Sweden’s navy is introducing uncrewed vessels to improve maritime surveillance. Defence Minister Pål Jonson and Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer will attend a demonstration in Nynäshamn on October 22.

The government announced the visit on October 20. The vessels will use sensors to gather information and improve the navy’s understanding of activity at sea.

The initiative involves four ten-meter vessels supplied by Saildrone. The company operates them remotely, while the navy assigns missions and receives the information collected. The arrangement is intended to support persistent surveillance over extended periods.

The agreement was developed through Nordic Defence Cooperation, known as NORDEFCO. The demonstration will show how the vessels contribute to Sweden’s expanding maritime monitoring capabilities.

Finland

Special forces to board cruise ship during maritime exercise

Nearly 400 participants will join a maritime special forces exercise off Helsinki from October 26 to 30, testing responses to demanding incidents at sea.

Details released on October 21 include training around Santahamina, Katajanokka and Porkkala, as well as operations aboard a cruise ship in the Gulf of Finland.

The police Karhu readiness unit and the Finnish Border Guard’s fifth readiness platoon are organizing the exercise. Personnel from Estonia, Denmark and the United States will participate. Helicopters from the Finnish Defence Forces, Border Guard and Danish air force will support the operations.

The exercise aims to improve rapid, coordinated responses to maritime threats. Karhu commander Juha Hietala points to emerging hybrid threats and the police’s role as the first responsible authority in incidents that may involve a state actor.

Finnish officials propose examining state control of rescue services

Senior officials at Finland’s Ministry of the Interior recommend examining whether rescue services should come under state control, as part of proposals published on October 21.

The recommendations are intended to inform the next government’s agenda. Officials argue that management and funding arrangements should allow services to respond more effectively to sudden local, regional and national demands.

A possible transfer to state responsibility would be considered alongside a review of the number of regional authorities organizing the services.

Permanent Secretary Matti Sarasmaa emphasizes the need for sustained investment and political commitment. The ministry’s officials propose a parliamentary program extending across several electoral terms to provide a more stable foundation for capabilities, information systems, border infrastructure and equipment.

Orpo puts railways and icebreakers at the center of Arctic security

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo wants the EU’s new Arctic strategy translated into investments in transport links, icebreakers and secure communications.

Presenting Finland’s priorities on October 21, he highlighted the connection between Oulu in Finland and Luleå in Sweden, alongside the Rail Nordica project. Rail Nordica would develop Finland’s westward rail connections using standard European track gauge.

Orpo links these projects to supply security and military mobility. Better northern transport routes would support the movement of goods, troops and equipment.

Finland also wants to contribute its expertise in icebreakers and satellite technology. Satellites could improve communications and awareness of Arctic activity. Orpo called for concrete investments, closer EU–NATO cooperation and stronger protection of critical infrastructure.

Denmark

Two men remain in custody in defence-company espionage case

Two men aged 18 and 21 remain in custody following the photographing of MyDefence in Nørresundby, a Danish company producing counter-drone technology.

North Jutland Police is investigating the case with the Danish Security and Intelligence Service, known as PET. Prosecutors allege that the men photographed the company on October 19 and sent images through Telegram for use by Russian intelligence. Both dispute the allegations.

Following a five-hour closed hearing in Aalborg, the court extended their arrest by three days, according to the October 21 update. The decision allows investigators additional time while the men remain in custody.

PET has warned about photography assignments offered by strangers involving defence companies and other sensitive facilities. Such images can support intelligence gathering and preparations for sabotage.

Simulated rail crash to test rescue operations beneath the Great Belt

Danish emergency services will respond to a simulated train crash inside the Great Belt Tunnel during an exercise early on October 25.

Tunnel operator Sund & Bælt announced the exercise on October 21. Volunteers portraying casualties will be placed in a specially arranged railway carriage to create realistic conditions for rescuers.

Police, Slagelse Fire and Rescue, Region Zealand, DSB and Banedanmark will participate alongside the operator. Police official Lars Aage Nielsen says the exercise will test equipment, procedures and coordination in the tunnel’s demanding environment.

The exercise is scheduled for 02:00–06:30 local time, with train services between Korsør and Nyborg adjusted around the activity. Similar exercises are held every two years to maintain emergency readiness.

Danish-Norwegian venture to expand military aircraft maintenance

Terma and Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services announced the launch of Defence Aviation Services on October 21, establishing a joint venture to expand military aviation maintenance in Denmark.

The launch was marked at the Norwegian ambassador’s residence in Copenhagen. The company will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services for military aircraft and related systems.

Terma contributes experience supporting the Danish armed forces. Kongsberg brings expertise from work on platforms including the F-35, P-8 and F-16, as well as helicopters and aircraft engines.

Interim chief executive Oscar Cosman Brøndum says greater industrial maintenance capacity can free military personnel for operational duties. The venture will now build its workforce, expertise and capacity to serve growing Danish, Nordic and allied requirements.

Iceland

Police restructuring raises emergency-response concerns in the Westfjords

Plans to consolidate Iceland’s nine police districts into three have triggered concerns in the Westfjords, where local leaders fear a loss of emergency-response capacity.

Kristján Þór Kristjánsson, chair of the municipal executive council in Ísafjarðarbær, said late on October 20 that police officers in the region had approached the municipality with concerns.

He highlighted the police commissioner’s central role in local civil protection. Cooperation with municipalities and volunteer rescue teams depends on local knowledge, while long distances and difficult winter travel make accessible leadership particularly important.

Justice Minister Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir plans to introduce the legislation in November. She argues that restructuring would strengthen specialization and the fight against organized crime, while retaining police stations and staffing.

Iceland begins construction of new security prison

Construction of a new security prison at Stóra-Hraun formally began on October 20, with the project intended to strengthen safety and the management of organized crime.

Justice Minister Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir attended the groundbreaking with Árborg Mayor Bragi Bjarnason and prison service director Ragna Bjarnadóttir.

The fully funded first phase will provide accommodation for 56 prisoners, together with a school, workshop and operational facilities. The completed prison is planned to have 128 places.

The Ministry of Justice emphasizes protection for staff and prisoners, alongside better control of harmful connections between inmates. The design also aims to improve opportunities for education, work and rehabilitation, drawing on experience from other Nordic countries.

Iceland and JEF discuss protection of North Atlantic infrastructure

Iceland and the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force have discussed North Atlantic security during a visit presented by the Icelandic Foreign Ministry on October 20.

The newly appointed JEF commander, Major General Olly Brown, met Jónas G. Allansson, head of the ministry’s defence department. Brown also visited the security area at Keflavík, where he received briefings on air surveillance and Iceland’s support for allied forces.

Cooperation is increasingly focused on hybrid threats and the protection of infrastructure at sea. Undersea connections, offshore platforms and wind farms form part of that work.

Iceland maintains a liaison officer at JEF headquarters in Northwood, United Kingdom. Its continuing participation will include the Lion Protector exercise later this year.

Estonia

Preparedness spending reaches water and heating bills

Estonian utility companies are investing in protection against crises and war, with new reporting on October 21 showing how those costs can enter household tariffs.

Water company Rakvere Vesi is prioritizing cybersecurity. Backup generators, fuel reserves and plans for electricity outages already form part of its preparedness measures. Chief executive Aare Palmsalu describes work intended to maintain water supplies during serious disruptions.

District-heating company SW Energia is examining stronger physical protection. Development director Vadim Nogtev wants cooperation with defence authorities on protecting essential facilities against drones.

Competition Authority head Evelin Pärn-Lee says adequately justified security costs can be approved for inclusion in tariffs. Regulators must assess which measures provide appropriate protection at a reasonable cost. Around 300 Estonian companies provide services considered particularly important during crises and war.

New cable route aims to reduce Estonia’s communications vulnerability

GlobalConnect is preparing seabed surveys near Saaremaa for a new fiber connection linking Sweden, Estonia and Finland, according to an October 21 project update.

The route would run from Gotland through Saaremaa and Hiiumaa to mainland Estonia, before continuing toward Helsinki. The project includes approximately 250 kilometers of land cable and 300 kilometers of subsea connections.

Tõnu Nirk, an official at Estonia’s Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, says a physically separate route would make international data traffic more resilient when existing cables are damaged. The connection would also increase capacity.

The surveys will identify a suitable route and conditions that must be considered during construction. Preparatory work began in 2025, with the connection scheduled to enter service in 2027.

Estonian lawmaker urges NATO response to Russian satellite maneuvers

Estonian lawmaker and physicist Mario Kadastik urged NATO on October 21 to respond to Russian satellite maneuvers near a radar observation satellite operated by ICEYE.

The Russian military satellite Kosmos 2612 reportedly moved close to ICEYE-X36 earlier in October. Kadastik considers the maneuvers deliberate and believes they created a serious collision risk.

He points to ICEYE’s ability to observe the ground through clouds and darkness, and to the company’s provision of information supporting Ukraine. He views the Russian activity as a possible hybrid operation.

The purpose of the maneuvering remains unresolved. Kadastik identifies potential interference and a demonstration of power as possible explanations. His public call for an allied response is the latest development in the case.

Latvia

Border Guard reports 32 attempts to enter from Belarus

Latvia’s State Border Guard prevented 32 people from crossing illegally from Belarus on October 20, according to its daily report released on Wednesday morning.

The service’s cumulative annual tally reached 12,254 prevented entries. Its report covers enforcement activity at the external border and inside Latvia.

At regular border crossing points, ten foreign nationals were refused entry. Five Belarusian citizens were turned away on security grounds. Other cases involved documentation of travel purposes, visas, residence permits and permitted lengths of stay.

The public report provides the operational totals while leaving the precise circumstances of the 32 attempted crossings unspecified.

Latvia plans conscript service and a 500-person border reserve

Latvia’s government gave approval in principle on October 20 to introduce national defence service in the State Border Guard from 2028.

The plan would bring in 100 service members each year, gradually creating a 500-person high-readiness reserve to strengthen border protection.

Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava says participants would learn border-security skills and contribute to practical duties. After completing their service, they could pursue professional careers in the Border Guard or other security organizations.

The Border Guard published further details on October 21. The interior and defence ministries will now develop implementation arrangements, calculate resource requirements and address funding. The government links the initiative to the regional security environment and the need for greater preparedness along Latvia’s external border.

Lithuania

Lithuania and Poland launch joint inquiry into drone explosion

Lithuania and Poland have established a joint group to investigate a drone explosion in Pasvalys district, President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed on October 20.

The drone crashed and exploded near Juodžioniai on October 18, with debris damaging a civilian vehicle. Lithuanian authorities have described it as a Ukrainian drone carrying explosives.

Ukraine has apologized and suggested Russian electronic warfare may have diverted the aircraft. Investigators must now establish the sequence of events and the cause of the incident.

The two countries’ defence ministries will share information and investigate together. Nausėda says additional information has emerged and that the group’s findings will guide further conclusions. He emphasized the importance of closer cooperation and intelligence sharing in protecting the public from similar incidents.

Major exercise to test sabotage response and civilian evacuation

Soldiers, volunteer riflemen and civilian authorities will rehearse sabotage response, evacuation and protection of essential facilities across western Lithuania from October 22 to 25.

The Perkūno bastionas / Juodas vanagas 2026 exercise will take place in Klaipėda, Gargždai, Šilutė and surrounding areas. The military’s commandant organization and the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union announced the program on October 21.

Scenarios include sabotage at a railway junction, a fire at a heating facility and disturbances at a municipal building. Medical evacuation by ground vehicles and helicopter will also be tested.

Authorities will rehearse how to keep residents informed during a crisis, using loudspeaker vehicles and radio broadcasts. The exercise aims to coordinate military and civilian responses while providing people with clear information about the situation and the actions they should take.