Russian aircraft suspected of violating Finnish airspace

Yle reports that a Russian aircraft is suspected of violating Finnish airspace over the western Gulf of Finland on Thursday afternoon.

“Every suspected territorial violation is taken seriously. An investigation is under way,” Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.

The ministry did not specify what type of aircraft was involved. The Finnish Border Guard is investigating the incident and will provide more information as the investigation progresses.

A suspected airspace violation also occurred off Porkkala in May, when a Russian military aircraft avoided a thunderstorm. The Finnish Air Force responded with an operational flight.