Finnish border guard found drone in Parikkala before air force – investigation lead explains discovery

The Finnish Border Guard was the first to detect a drone found on the ice of Lake Pyhäjärvi in Parikkala, eastern Finland, according to an investigation lead. The Finnish Air Force had not observed the device prior to its discovery.

Investigation lead Matti Kettunen of the North Karelia Border Guard told national broadcaster Yle that the drone was first spotted by border authorities during enhanced aerial surveillance operations. “To my knowledge, we are the first authority to detect the drone,” Kettunen said.

The drone is believed to have crashed onto the lake ice between Monday and Tuesday, with the Border Guard making the observation on Tuesday morning after 10 AM. The device was already on the ice when discovered.

Kettunen stated that the drone was located roughly one kilometre from the Närsäkkälä scout base in Kitee toward the lake and about one kilometre from the Russian border, near the municipal boundary between Kitee and Parikkala. Authorities immediately notified the Eastern Finland Police, which later transferred investigative responsibility to the Southeast Finland Police.

The Border Guard has increased aerial monitoring along the eastern border due to the current security situation. Kettunen confirmed that while no additional drones have been found, authorities cannot rule out further discoveries. “We have tried to determine whether there are more such devices in the area,” he said.

Authorities have indicated the drone likely originated from Ukraine, though Kettunen declined to comment on its specific model. The Finnish Defence Forces told Yle they do not comment on operational activities but confirmed continuous monitoring of the region. “There is currently no direct military threat against Finland,” the Defence Forces stated in a message.

Lake Pyhäjärvi spans the municipalities of Kitee and Parikkala, as well as part of Russian territory.