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🇫🇷 France /Crime & Justice

Russian plane allegedly violated Finnish airspace; Helsinki launches investigation

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Finland suspects a Russian aircraft violated its airspace over the western Gulf of Finland on Thursday.
  • The Finnish Ministry of Defense stated that any alleged airspace violation is taken seriously, and an investigation is underway.
  • This is the third such suspected incident in recent months, following two similar events in May and June, prompting Finland to summon the Russian chargé d'affaires previously.

Finland is investigating a suspected violation of its airspace by a Russian aircraft over the western Gulf of Finland on Thursday afternoon. The Finnish Ministry of Defense emphasized that any alleged breach of airspace is treated with utmost seriousness.

"Any alleged violation of airspace is taken seriously. An investigation is underway," stated Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen in a press release. The Finnish Border Guard is leading the inquiry into the incident, according to the ministry.

This marks the third suspected incursion into Finnish airspace by Russian military aircraft in recent months. Similar incidents were reported in May and June, involving aircraft near Porkkala and off the coast of Porvoo, east of the capital, Helsinki.

Following those earlier events, Russia's chargé d'affaires was summoned by Finnish authorities. Finland, which joined NATO in April 2023, shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia. The country ended decades of military non-alignment after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Any alleged violation of airspace is taken seriously. An investigation is underway.

— Antti HäkkänenFinnish Defense Minister, commenting on the suspected Russian aircraft incursion.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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