Ukrainian drone crashes in Finland, Kyiv blames Russian electronic warfare
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Editor's note: The story was updated with comments from Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.
Several drones crashed in Finland, and at least one has been identified as Ukrainian, Finnish officials said on March 29.
"Drones have strayed into Finnish territory. We are taking the matter very seriously. Security authorities have reacted immediately. The investigation into the incidents continues, and more information will be provided once the information is confirmed," Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said.
The drones were not intercepted and fell on their own, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said, adding that a Hornet fighter jet was sent to identify the objects.
One unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was found north of the city of Kouvola, and another has been found east of the city, according to the Finnish Defense Ministry.
Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, said Kyiv is in contact with Finland and is sharing information to clarify the circumstances surrounding the drone crash.
"Under no circumstances were any Ukrainian drones heading toward Finland," Tykhyi told journalists on March 30. "The most likely cause is interference by Russian electronic warfare systems."
Tykhyi added that Ukraine has already apologized to Finland for the incident.
"We share the view of our Finnish partners that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is the root cause of both this incident and the broader security challenges in the region," the spokesperson said.
Kouvola is situated in southeastern Finland, located 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Finnish-Russian border.
While only one drone has been thus far identified, Finnish Prime Minister Orpo said that all the UAVs are likely to be downed Ukrainian drones.
"Several small, slow-flying, low-flying objects were observed in Finnish airspace over the sea and in southeastern Finland on Sunday morning. The Air Force has been on a reconnaissance mission with an F/A-18 Hornet fighter," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"This morning, drones have strayed into Finnish territory. One of the drones has been confirmed to be Ukrainian in origin. I want to emphasize that there is no military threat to Finland. Our authorities reacted to the situation immediately," Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in a post to X.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen emphasized that Helsinki does not wish for Ukraine to suspend attacks on Russia's oil infrastructure following the incident.
"Ukraine is allowed to defend itself. We do not place any demands on Ukraine regarding which targets it seeks to influence in Russia," Valtonen said, according to Finnish outlet Yle.
Finland is currently working on its own defense against drones that should be ready in a few months, she added.
"Our starting point in the discussion with the Ukrainians is that this should not happen. Finland has strong defense forces and security authorities. We will do everything we can to ensure that Finland continues to be a safe country to live in," Valtonen said.
The Ukrainian military regularly strikes military infrastructure within Russia in an effort to diminish Moscow's fighting power as the Kremlin continues to wage its war against Ukraine.
Overnight on March 29, Ukraine struck the oil and gas terminal in the Russian Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga for the second time in a week, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said.
On March 26, Ukrainian forces struck the Kirishi Petroleum Organic Synthesis (Kinef) oil refinery in the city of Kirishi, located in Russia's Leningrad Oblast, which borders Finland, the General Staff confirmed.
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The Kyiv Independent news desk
Dominic Culverwell
