Norway begins preparations for war with Russia, bomb shelters to be built in new buildings

The Norwegian government has announced plans to reintroduce a requirement to build bomb shelters in new buildings, a practice it stopped in 1998, Politico reports .

The decision comes as Moscow's full-scale war against Ukraine approaches its third anniversary and Russia, which shares a border with Norway in the Arctic Circle, shows no sign of backing down on its aggressive stance.

"There is more uncertainty around us. We must take care of the civilian population in the event of a worst-case scenario with war or armed attack," Norway's Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl told public broadcaster NRK.

"In that case, shelter is one of the protective measures we need," she added.

Until 1998, every large residential complex in Norway was required to have a bomb shelter; but no new shelters have been built since then. Mel noted that the requirement would apply to complexes larger than 1,000 square meters.The government is proposing two types of shelters: new ones that would protect against chemical and radioactive weapons; and some to protect against conventional weapons that could be repurposed from subway stations or parking garages.

The measure is part of an overall preparedness report that contains more than a hundred different recommendations aimed at strengthening and preparing Norway - for a possible war, as well as in the event of extreme weather conditions or events such as a pandemic.

"Russia's willingness to use military force to achieve political goals indicates that Norway will likely have to deal with an unpredictable and risk-taking neighbour for a long time to come," the government report said.

As media reported, last month Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that Norway would finance Ukrainian production of weapons and equipment. According to him, during a visit to Oslo, he managed to agree with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stjore and Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram that Norway would join the "Danish format" of support - direct financing of production in Ukraine.Norway said in the summer it would donate six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine . As Ukraine receives more trained pilots and support personnel, the fighter coalition will add more aircraft to Ukraine, according to Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.

The country is also strengthening Ukraine's ai