Sukhoi Su-35S fighter jet at the grounds of an aviation firm in the far-eastern city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Two Russian military jets are suspected of entering Finnish airspace near Porvoo. Photo: Russian defence corporation Rostec Handout / AFP / Lehtikuva
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Two Russian military aircraft are suspected of entering Finnish airspace off the southern coast near Porvoo, prompting a formal investigation by Finnish authorities.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed on Friday that the incident is being taken seriously, with Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen stating that a full investigation is underway. The Finnish Border Guard and the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard are jointly leading the inquiry.
“This kind of suspected territorial violation is treated with the utmost seriousness,” Häkkänen said in a statement on Friday evening. He added that the ministry would await the results of the investigation before taking further steps.
This is the second reported breach of Finnish airspace by Russian aircraft in 2025. The previous incident occurred in February, when a Russian plane was suspected of crossing into Finnish airspace over the Gulf of Finland, west of Hanko. Both cases are being reviewed for possible pattern behaviour.
According to initial reports, the aircraft involved in Friday’s incident did not identify themselves or make contact with air traffic control. The exact duration of the airspace breach and the aircraft type remain unconfirmed.
The suspected violation occurred just a day after Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber over the Baltic Sea. Polish authorities confirmed that their aircraft, operating under NATO command, deterred the Russian jet after it was spotted flying without a filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off.
The Russian military routinely conducts such operations from the Kaliningrad exclave. NATO officials have previously criticised Russia’s use of non-transparent flight behaviour, warning that these flights increase the risk of accidents in the region.
Russia has not commented on the latest events.
Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometre border with Russia, joined NATO in 2023. Since then, Finland has intensified its surveillance and readiness measures along the eastern frontier.
Speaking earlier this week on broader Russian activities near the Finnish border, Major General Sami Nurmi, head of strategy at the Finnish Defence Forces, said that Russian infrastructure preparations in the northwest of the country are progressing. He noted that these developments align with expectations following the redeployment of Russian troops from that region to Ukraine.
“Russia has the capacity to concentrate limited forces quickly. We saw this ability clearly in Ukraine,” Nurmi said. “We are observing a methodical build-up of infrastructure which would support troop return or replacement.”
Minister Häkkänen echoed the strategic concerns, saying that Russia’s behaviour in airspace and along land borders must be viewed in a wider security context.
“Finland is a reliable NATO member with strong monitoring capabilities,” he said. “These events underline why close cooperation within the alliance remains critical.”
NATO commanders have warned that Russia could seek to test the alliance’s defences in the coming years. Several European defence assessments have suggested that Russia might have the capacity to mount a regional challenge within three to five years if military modernisation efforts remain unchecked and if Ukraine’s war ends in a way that allows the redeployment of Russian forces.
The Finnish Defence Forces and NATO have increased readiness exercises in the Baltic region since Finland’s accession. Additional aerial surveillance and maritime patrols are planned throughout 2025.
While the Finnish investigation continues, Defence officials say Finland remains calm and prepared.
“We have coexisted with Russia for centuries,” said Nurmi. “But this is a different era, and we must respond accordingly.”
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
