Finland has reported a suspected breach of its airspace by several drones in its southeastern region, with at least one confirmed to be a Ukrainian model. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stated that the incident is likely connected to ongoing Ukrainian strikes against Russian targets.
Finnish authorities detected multiple low-flying objects, which prompted the deployment of F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets. One of the drones was identified as a Ukrainian AN196 model; however, pilots chose not to intercept it to avoid potential collateral damage. Ultimately, two drones crashed in eastern Finland, near the city of Kouvola.
Orpo suggested that Russia’s electronic warfare systems might be interfering with drone navigation, causing them to drift into the airspace of neighboring countries. Similar incidents involving drones have recently been reported in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.