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Unidentified drones crash in Finland

Europe

Two unidentified drones crashed in southern Finland on Sunday, an incident the defence ministry described as a "suspected territorial violation". Neighbouring countries Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia experienced similar crashes by drones on their land earlier this week. 

A Police car blocks the Savistontie road after two unidentified drones entered and landed in Finnish territory, in Kouvola, Finland, Sunday, March 29, 2026
A police car blocks access to the location where two unidentified drones entered and landed in Finnish territory, Kouvola, Finland, Sunday, March 29, 2026. © Sasu Järnstedt, AP

Two unidentified drones crashed near Kouvola in southern Finland on Sunday, the defence ministry said, calling the incident a "suspected territorial violation".

"Drones have strayed into Finland's territory. We take this very seriously," Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said in a statement, adding that security authorities had been sent to the scene.

Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia

Nearby countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania earlier ​this week ‌said several Ukrainian drones had ⁠crashed on their territory after going astray during attacks on Russian ‌oil export facilities on the Baltic Sea coast.

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'Low-flying slow objects'

"The investigation into the events is ongoing, and further details will be provided once the information has been verified," Hakkanen said.

According to the ministry, "a few low-flying slow objects were observed in Finnish airspace in the sea area and in southeastern Finland on Sunday morning".

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The air force sent up an F/A-18 Hornet fighter on an identification mission, it added.

"One drone has fallen to the ground north of Kouvola and another drone east of Kouvola. The police have cordoned off the areas for further investigation," the defence ministry said.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)