More than 2,000 people took part in a civil defence exercise in Kuopio this week, testing how authorities and residents would respond to cyberattacks, infrastructure failures and the threat of missile strikes. Organisers described Shelter 2026 as Europe’s largest civil defence exercise since the Second World War.
The exercise centred on Luola, an underground sports and events complex in the Savilahti district.
The facility, completed two years ago, serves as a sports centre during normal conditions but converts into a civil defence shelter during an emergency.
Students from Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Savo Vocational College and Luovi Vocational College were among those taking part.
Participants received instructions at around 11.30am on Wednesday to move to the shelter. They had around 30 minutes to reach Luola, where the shelter doors were then closed for about two hours.
The exercise simulated cyberattacks that had disrupted electricity and water supplies in Kuopio while authorities faced an increased threat of missile strikes.
Inside Luola, organisers divided the main sports hall into sections holding around 200 people each. Participants had to share a limited number of dry toilets, and there were not enough beds for everyone to sleep at the same time.
More than 100 people remained underground overnight as the exercise continued into Thursday morning.
Luola holds around 2,500 people during normal operations and has space for up to 7,000 during emergency conditions. The facility has drawn attention outside Finland because of its dual civilian and emergency role.
Finnish conscripts wearing protective suits practised measuring radiation levels inside the shelter. Doors at the site are designed to provide protection during nuclear or biological emergencies.
Retired Army Colonel Asko Muhonen, who helped organise the exercise, told the Associated Press that Finland’s preparedness depends not only on the armed forces but also on civilians accepting responsibility during a crisis.
He said Finland has also studied lessons from Ukraine, where residents facing missile attacks often have only minutes to reach underground stations, car parks or other shelters.
The exercise took place as Finland continues to expand civil and military preparedness following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland shares a border of about 1,340 kilometres with Russia and joined NATO in April 2023.
Organisers also used the drill to test how ordinary residents would cope when public services were disrupted. Finland’s emergency preparedness guidance advises households to be ready to manage for at least 72 hours without outside assistance during disruptions to electricity, water or other services.
HT