Several slow-moving objects, identified as drones, approached Finnish territorial waters on Sunday, with two crashing near Kouvola, prompting a swift response.
Finnish Air Force Response
On Sunday, March 29th, around 8:13 AM, several slow-moving objects, believed to be drones, approached Finnish territorial waters, according to the country’s Air Force as reported by Yle radio.
The Finnish Air Force conducted a reconnaissance mission involving an F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet. One drone fell north of Kouvola, and another east of the city. Police, military vehicles, and ambulances were dispatched to the locations, with no injuries reported.
Ukrainian Drone Identified
The Air Force tracked one of the objects and identified it as a Ukrainian AN196 drone around 8:45 AM. The pilot refrained from shooting it down to avoid accidental damage.
Government Reaction
“Drones entered Finnish territory. We are treating the matter very seriously. Security services reacted immediately. The investigation into the incidents is ongoing, and more information will be provided once confirmed,” stated Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen in a ministry statement.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo indicated during a press conference that the drones likely originated from Ukraine.
Increased Surveillance
The Finnish Armed Forces announced on Friday that they had strengthened surveillance and protection of the country’s territorial integrity, particularly in the south-eastern part and over the Gulf of Finland, due to increased Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil ports in the St. Petersburg region.
Regional Drone Activity
Ukrainian drones have also violated the airspace of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia in recent days. Russian authorities reported another Ukrainian attack on the Russian port of Ust-Luga near the Estonian border overnight from Saturday to Sunday.
Moscow-Tehran Drone Collaboration
Cooperation between Moscow and Tehran has evolved, with Iranian drones aiding Russia in the war in Ukraine being upgraded by Russia and sent back in the opposite direction, according to Robert Stefanicki of Wyborcza.pl.
Reported by
From Helsinki, Przemysław Molik (PAP)
