Finland says unidentified drone suspected of violating airspace

Finland says unidentified drone suspected of violating airspace

The drone was suspected of violating Finland's airspace in Virolahti, near its border with Russia.

The Finland–Russia border at Vaalimaa in Virolahti, Finland. (EPA Images pic)
HELSINKI:
An unidentified drone was suspected of violating Finland’s airspace in Virolahti near its border with Russia early today, the defence ministry said.

Finland’s air force spotted the drone in the early hours, said a ministry statement.

“The model and origin of the drone have not been identified,” it said, adding that the drone was no longer in Finnish airspace.

The incident was being investigated by the Finnish border guard, it said, providing no other information.

Finland has a 1,340km border with Russia.

Russia’s defence ministry said today military air defence units intercepted 334 Ukrainian drones during the night across about 15 regions, some close to Saint Petersburg, around 150km from Virolahti.

In March, Ukraine apologised to Helsinki after two Ukrainian drones crashed in southern Finland, likely knocked off course by Russian interference.

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