March 29, 2026, 1:25 p.mMar 29, 2026, 4:42 p.m
According to media reports, several suspected Ukrainian drones crashed in southeastern Finland. According to the latest information from Finnish authorities, two unmanned aerial vehicles hit the ground north and east of the town of Kouvola on Sunday morning, respectively, the public broadcaster Yle reported. There were no reports of injuries or damage.
“Drones got lost in Finland’s territory. We take this very seriously,” said Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen, according to Yle. According to his ministry, several objects had been discovered passing through Finnish airspace at low altitude. Fighter jets climbed to identify the devices but did not shoot them down to avoid collateral damage on the ground.
According to Yle, the Air Force identified the missiles as Ukrainian drones. Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo later said the drones “probably” came from Ukraine and that the incidents were being further investigated. He also described the airspace violation as a serious matter.
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia’s oil industry
The city of Kouvola is located around 70 kilometers from the border with the Russian Leningrad Oblast. According to Opro, the stray drones are likely related to Ukraine’s targeted attacks on the Russian oil industry.
Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, misguided Ukrainian drones have repeatedly penetrated the airspace of the Baltic states bordering Russia and sometimes crashed.
At the weekend, Ukraine once again set fire to the important export port in Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea. The governor of the Leningrad region, Alexander Drozdenko, confirmed the hit and the fire on Telegram on Sunday. In total, Russian anti-aircraft defense shot down 31 drones in the Leningrad region, he said.
On Sunday, an air alert was sounded again in the Leningrad region. Drozdenko warned on Telegram about the possible entry of drones. Internet speeds could possibly be reduced, he wrote. This is one of several options to fend off the unmanned aircraft. (hkl/sda/dpa)