Finnish authorities investigate suspected cross-border drone incidents in southeast Finland

Finnish police, border guards, and defence forces are conducting an ongoing investigation at a drone crash site in Luumäki, southeast Finland, following two suspected cross-border violations, public broadcaster Yle reports.

The Finnish Border Guard estimates the probe into the drones—one found in Kouvola and another in Luumäki—will take weeks. Authorities are examining their origin, flight path, entry time into Finnish airspace, movement within the country, and the cause of their crash.

“These details won’t be resolved in days—we’re looking at several weeks,” said Ilja Iljin, deputy commander of the Finnish Border Guard’s Gulf of Finland Coastal District. He declined to confirm reports that one drone exploded on impact, stating that premature or unclear information would not be released.

The National Bureau of Investigation has launched a separate inquiry into aggravated endangerment. Under Finnish law, territorial violations—such as unauthorised border crossings—can result in fines or up to one year in prison.

Authorities have cordoned off the crash site in Luumäki, with police, border guards, and military personnel patrolling the area. A three-kilometre stretch of road between Kuutostie and Kannuskoski remains closed. Yle reporters observed official vehicles entering the restricted zone early Monday.

A crisis coordination centre, involving the Defence Forces, Border Guard, and police, has been established to oversee the investigation. On Sunday, officials confirmed at least one drone was of Ukrainian origin.

Deputy Commander Iljin described the case as unprecedented, noting that unlike previous maritime border incidents, these drones physically entered Finnish territory. “We are dealing with something new here,” he said.