Finland issues drone threat guidelines: move indoors if suspicious activity detected

The Finnish interior ministry has published official guidelines for citizens on how to respond to potential drone threats, following recent incidents where drones were found in Finnish territory. The instructions were released Tuesday evening in coordination with emergency services, public broadcaster Yle reports.

Authorities advise residents to seek shelter indoors if they receive an emergency alert about a dangerous drone or observe unusual drone behaviour—such as flying in restricted areas or at very low altitudes. While inside, people should stay in central parts of buildings, away from windows. If indoors is not an option, the guidance recommends finding the most protected outdoor location available.

Warnings about drone threats will be issued through Finland’s emergency alert system, including radio broadcasts, the 112 Suomi app, and text-TV page 112. In urgent cases, alerts may also appear on television. The general emergency siren—a one-minute rising and falling tone—will likewise signal the need to take cover.

The ministry emphasised that Finland currently faces no direct military threat, though the guidelines address public concerns after three drones were recovered in Finnish territory since Sunday, including one found Tuesday in Parikkala.

Finland is also developing a mobile app to warn of drone threats, similar to systems used in Ukraine and Estonia. The app, alongside an SMS-based alert system, is expected to be operational by late 2027, though it may be completed earlier. The SMS system will distribute basic alerts, while the app will provide additional details during evolving threats.