Road to war: Finland closes motorway so fighter jets can practice landings

‘Finns need to be awake,’ from the Russian threat says one local

A F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet lands on a motorway in Joutsa, Finland (REUTERS)

In another sign of growing tensions in Europe, Finland shut down a section of one of its main motorways, which connects the capital Helsinki to the north of the country, to allow fighter jets to practice landings.

The Nordic country, which is applying for Nato membership, neighbours Russia.

The reserve road runway, one of several in the country, had not been used for decades due to its importance in linking up parts of the country.