Finnish fighter jets patrol southeastern skies as Ukraine drone strikes continue

Finnish Air Force jets conducted identification and surveillance flights over southeastern Finland on Sunday morning, public broadcaster Yle reports, as tensions remain high following recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil terminals in the Gulf of Finland.

According to the Finnish Defence Forces, the flights are linked to drone activity in the region, though no drones have entered Finnish airspace. Authorities have not released further details about the operations.

The increased aerial patrols follow Finland’s announcement on Friday that it had intensified measures to “monitor and secure territorial integrity” amid Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian ports in the eastern Gulf of Finland. The latest reported strike targeted the Laukaansuu oil terminal early Sunday.

Residents in southern Finland, including the Uusimaa region, have reported hearing fighter jet activity in recent days, particularly on Thursday afternoon and Friday night. The Defence Forces emphasised that Finland’s territorial surveillance remains active 24/7, with no changes to the current security posture.

The operations involve Air Force fighter jets and Navy rapid-response vessels in southeastern Finland and the eastern Gulf of Finland.