Helsinki deploys fighter jets amid suspected drone activity in Baltic region

Finland scrambled fighter jets overnight to patrol its airspace amid concerns over possible drone activity linked to strikes on Russian ports in the Baltic Sea, officials said.

Speaking at a security briefing, Finnish Air Force commander Timo Herranen said the military had maintained a heightened state of readiness, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

“Last night our fighter jets were in the air almost continuously,” Herranen said, adding that the armed forces are closely monitoring ongoing unmanned aerial operations near the country’s borders.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Ukraine has the right to defend itself and suggested that Ukrainian drone operations targeting Russian ports in the Gulf of Finland are likely to continue.

He also indicated that Finland plans to invest further in technologies designed to detect and neutralise drones, with additional funding to be allocated if necessary.

According to officials, Finland is not seeking assistance from allies in response to drones entering its territory, but is maintaining active consultations with European counterparts.

Authorities said that over the past week, several drones believed to be linked to Ukrainian operations targeting Russian ports have crossed into the airspace of Baltic states and Finland, prompting increased vigilance across the region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev