Russian threat pushes Norway to build bomb shelters for ‘worst-case scenario’

Norway plans to reintroduce an obligation to build bomb shelters in new buildings, a practice halted in 1998, the Norwegian government announced Friday.

The decision comes as Moscow’s full-scale war against Ukraine approaches its third anniversary, with Russia — which shares a border with Norway in the Arctic Circle — showing no signs of abandoning its aggressive posture.

“There’s more uncertainty around us. We must take care of the civilian population, in case of a ‘worst-case scenario’ with war or armed attack,” Norwegian Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl told public broadcaster NRK.

Until 1998, any large apartment complex in Norway was required to have a bomb shelter; but no new bomb shelters have been built since. Mehl said that the requirement will apply to complexes larger than 1,000 square meters.

The government is proposing two types of shelters: new ones that will protect against chemical and radioactive weapons; and some to guard against conventional weapons, which could be repurposed from subway stations or parking garages.

The measure is part of a total preparedness report containing more than a hundred different recommendations intended to strengthen and prepare Norway — for possible war, but also in the case of extreme weather or events like a pandemic.

“Russia’s willingness to use military force to achieve political goals shows that Norway will likely have to deal with an unpredictable and risk-averse neighbor for a long time to come,” the report said.