WW3 fears as NATO scrambles fighter jets over ‘territorial violation’ | World | News
Tensions between NATO and Russia increased after two drones crashed near Kouvola on Sunday, according to the Finnish Ministry of Defense. This morning, numerous low-flying, slow-moving small objects were observed in Finnish airspace, the maritime area and southeastern Finland. This is a suspected territorial violation.
The Air Force carried out a reconnaissance mission with the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet. One drone reportedly crashed north of Kouvola, while the other crashed east of Kouvola. Police cordoned off the area for further investigation. Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen, in his statement from the Ministry of Defense, said, “Drones entered Finnish territory. We take the issue very seriously. Security officials reacted immediately. The investigation into the events continues and more information will be provided once the information is verified.”
Early on Sunday, South-Eastern Finland Police reported that a “flying device” had crashed in the field in Kouvola. Alert to the situation came to Savistontie at 10:04 on Sunday morning.
Police are investigating the source of the device. There were no injuries in the incident, the broadcaster reported Aamlehti.
Police cordoned off the area where the device fell. According to photographer Johannes Wiehn, who was at the scene west of the cordoned off area, there is a police car blocking traffic.
The Utti Jaeger Regiment declined to comment. He said that information on the issue would be provided when necessary. The Jaeger Regiment is located approximately 25 kilometers from Savistontie.
There is also a small Selänpää airport nearby, where the Kouvola District Aviation Association operates. The association of amateur pilots was unaware of what was falling from the sky. According to the association’s president, Antti Ruokolainen, no one in the field knew about this.
According to air traffic monitoring services, no unusual traffic was observed in the skies of southeastern Finland on Sunday. However, not all traffic occurs on services, such as Defense Force activities.
The Finnish Defense Forces announced on Friday that they are intensifying regional surveillance, especially in southeastern Finland and the eastern Gulf of Finland, and protecting Finland’s territorial integrity.
This is due to a series of drone attacks by Ukraine on Russian oil ports in the Baltic Sea. With these attacks, Ukraine aims to weaken Russia’s oil exports, which it uses to finance its war of aggression against Ukraine.
The Finnish Defense Forces said on Friday that they are ready to repel drones that enter Finnish airspace, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
The incident involving a NATO member state bordering Russia has raised concerns about the potential for escalation amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
