Returning safely to home garrisons – the return traffic of Nordic Response 24 to affect overall traffic up north

As the battles fought in Nordic Response 24 will be completed this week, the return marches of the exercise will be visible on the road during the course of the week. For guaranteed safe return and smooth overall traffic, it is recommended that all keep calm while on the road.

The exercise Nordic Response 24 will end on 15 March. From Finland, the exercise has been participated by altogether c. 4,100 soldiers and up to more than 700 vehicles in total. In the area of Finland during the exercise, alongside Finnish troops have trained and operated altogether up to c. 3,000 soldiers from Sweden, 450 soldiers from France, and c. 50 soldiers from the U.K. 

Apart from the routes of return march as listed below, the returning training audience units may be on the move also in other areas of Lapland. Especially during 13.–15.3.2024, overall traffic may get congested on the main road network. People are kindly asked to consider this when doing their route planning and prepare to reserve more time for driving than usually. Authorities in Finland, Norway, and Sweden have co-operated before and during the exercise to smoothen overall traffic and minimise the impacts of the exercise.

Return traffic during 13.3.–17.3. 

• Road 93 Kivilompolo–Palojoensuu
• Road 21 Enontekiö–Kolari
• Road79 Muonio–Rovaniemi
• Road80 Kittilä–Sodankylä
• Road 92 Karigasniemi–Kaamanen
• RoadE75 Kaamanen–Rovaniemi–Oulu
• Roads from Rovaniemi to Kajaani
• Road E8 southward from Oulu

It must be recognised that more than half of the return traffic will concentrate on E75, with the main focus on the road sections of Karigasniemi–Inari–Saariselkä. During 13–15 March, special transports carrying wide loads will be on the move on the routes of Enontekiö–Muonio–Kittilä–Sodankylä. 

Defence Forces train and exercise responsibly 

During the exercise, the troops of the Finnish Defence Forces and of allies have operated on both state-owned and privately-owned real estate property as planned. In the area, training and exercise activity has been conducted by heavy equipment, including main battle tanks Leopard 2, and infantry fighting vehicles CV90. The training audience troops have done their very best to avoid any damage to the terrain.

The Defence Forces train and exercise responsibly, and will repay through a case-by-case examination damages incurred due to training and exercise activity. All issues of claims for damages will be processed with the parties involved after the end of exercise in accordance with established practice. It is advisable to take photos of any damage incurred and draw up a report before contacting the Finnish Defence Forces. In case of incidents of damage, please contact the exercise’s Damage Safety Officer, whose contact information is available on our site at: https://puolustusvoimat.fi/miten-harjoitus-nakyy-suomessa-. All notifications concerning damage are kindly asked to be submitted primarily during the course of the exercise.