Finnish authorities confirm drone in airspace incident was smaller Chaika model, not AN-196

A drone that entered Finnish airspace last month was a smaller, 2.5-meter-wingspan Chaika model—not the previously reported Ukrainian AN-196—according to updated information from Finnish authorities, public broadcaster Yle reports.

The correction follows weeks of media coverage featuring images of the larger AN-196, which officials now say was never involved in the March 29 incident near Kouvola. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation confirmed the devices were smaller than initially stated.

Former Defense Forces research director Jyri Kosola told Yle the Chaika is a less expensive, shorter-range drone, with its reduced size also implying a smaller destructive capacity. The misidentification stemmed from an initial military press release that was not publicly corrected despite later clarifications.

Air Force Commander Major General Timo Herranen had mentioned the smaller size in an April 2 interview on Yle’s A-studio program, stating the drones were “2–2.5 meter systems” and that detection was challenging amid heavy bird migration. However, his remarks went widely unnoticed or were assumed to refer to a second, unconfirmed drone.

Internal discussions within the Prime Minister’s Office have reportedly addressed whether regional authorities should have been informed immediately and whether communication delays occurred. The origin of the drones remains unclear, though Kosola noted Ukraine has previously smuggled drones into Russian territory. Launching from the sea or a third country is considered less likely due to visibility and logistical constraints.

Tags: drones, finland, security