Mysterious rings in the sky over eastern Finland likely caused by Russian flights

Residents across eastern Finland reported seeing unusual rings in the sky on Monday, with similar sightings in Lapland last week, according to a report by Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The circular formations were observed in the eastern sky in multiple locations, including Ruokolahti and Simpele in South Karelia, as well as Hamina, Kotka, and Virolahti in Kymenlaakso. Last week, a similar phenomenon was documented in Saariselkä, Lapland.

Finnish air navigation service provider Fintraffic confirmed it had no information about the flights, suggesting they likely originated from across the border. “The flights have apparently taken place on the other side of the border,” said communications director Leena Huhtamaa.

The Finnish Air Force declined to comment on Russian flight activity but stated in a brief email response that it had conducted surveillance flights in southeastern Finland and over the Baltic Sea in recent times. The Air Force also confirmed that Russian aircraft had not violated Finnish airspace recently.