Finland has increased surveillance of its airspace following incidents involving Ukrainian drones flying towards Russian targets and intrusions over Finnish territory.
Finland Intensifies Airspace Surveillance
Finland has intensified its airspace monitoring after Ukrainian long-range drones began appearing near the country in late March, heading towards Russian targets over the Gulf of Finland and the St. Petersburg region.
In recent days, the Finnish military has recorded incidents where drones deviated from their course and entered Finnish territory. In response, F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets were scrambled, but weapons were not used to avoid collateral damage.
Risk of Downing Drones Near Russian Border
According to Colonel Vesa Mantyla, the Finnish Air Force can shoot down drones belonging to foreign countries, but any such decision must adhere to strict procedures.
These procedures include unambiguous identification of the object and consideration of the risk that a missile or its fragments could land on Russian territory. Finnish military officials believe this makes responding near the eastern border particularly sensitive.
Recent Drone Intrusions
Three drones reportedly entered Finnish territory in recent days. Two landed in the Kouvola region in southeastern Finland, and the third ended its flight on a frozen lake in Karelia, near the Russian border.
The latter incident raised the most concerns, as the military was unable to track its movement precisely throughout its flight, according to Mantyla.
Enhanced Monitoring and Use of Force
The Finnish army stated that F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets on reconnaissance missions, equipped with weaponry, are primarily used to counter such threats.
Helsinki emphasizes that the use of force remains a last resort, especially given Finland’s proximity to Russia.
Geopolitical Considerations
Finland, which joined NATO in April 2023, shares the longest land border with Russia among NATO countries—approximately 1340 km.
Due to its geographical location, every incident in its airspace is reportedly analyzed not only from a military perspective but also a political one.
