Residents in southeastern Finland report being woken by drone activity overnight

Residents in Virolahti, southeastern Finland, say they were woken in the early hours of Sunday by military activity, including fighter jets and helicopters, after suspected drone incursions into Finnish airspace, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

Local resident Kaija Saarainen, who lives in the village of Ravijoki, described waking to a “terrible roar” around 3:30 AM. “There was a fighter jet and a helicopter in the air,” she said, adding that military sounds near the Russian border have become routine. “It doesn’t scare me at all.”

Finland’s Ministry of Defence suspects two drones violated Finnish airspace over Virolahti on Sunday. Ukraine has stated it carried out strikes near the Finnish border overnight.

Alpo Tani, a cottage owner from Espoo staying on Santio island, was jolted awake by what sounded like an explosion. “It was like thunder striking nearby—the windows shook,” he said. Tani noted that drone sightings have been discussed among locals. “It’s not pleasant, but this is the reality we live in now. Unsettling things are getting closer.”

Emilia Harjunen, another resident, said she was not surprised by reports of drones after waking to unusual noises. “It’s strange that this can happen, but I’m relieved the drone didn’t crash in Finland—just entered our airspace,” she said.

Matti Mäkelä, a local, echoed others in saying the incident did not cause fear. “Military activity in the air is almost normal here now,” he said, adding that monitoring drones is necessary for security. “It’s good—they keep us safe here.”

The day remained calm in Virolahti despite the overnight disturbances, with many residents and summer cottage visitors reporting disrupted sleep but no widespread alarm.