Finnish defence forces can shoot down drones but avoid firing toward Russia

Finnish defence forces have the capability to shoot down foreign drones in the country’s airspace, but strict rules limit when and where they can be engaged, Yle reports.

Colonel Vesa Mäntylä, operations chief of the Finnish Air Force, confirmed that drones can be shot down using fighter jets—but only after careful assessment. “We must first identify it as an unmanned aircraft, then ensure it won’t cause damage when falling,” Mäntylä said. Drones cannot be downed over populated areas or in the direction of Russia due to escalation risks.

The restrictions follow recent incidents where three Ukrainian drones strayed into Finnish territory, raising concerns about border surveillance effectiveness. One drone, equipped with explosives, crashed onto the ice of Pyhäjärvi Lake in Karelia without being detected in time.

Finland has strengthened airspace monitoring, particularly in southeastern regions, using mobile radar systems like the Raytheon target-tracking radar deployed in Kouvola. While these systems can detect drones, factors such as terrain, distance, and altitude affect reliability.

Mäntylä emphasised that no foreign drones have been detected since Tuesday’s incident. Two drones previously crashed near Kouvola on Sunday.