Tensions between NATO and Russia have spiked after two drones fell near Kouvola on Sunday, according to the Finnish Ministry of Defence. Several low-flying, slow-moving small objects were observed in Finnish airspace in the maritime area and southeast Finland this morning. This is a suspected territorial violation.

The Air Force conducted a reconnaissance mission with an F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet. One drone is reported to have fallen to the ground north of Kouvola and the other east of Kouvola. Police have cordoned off the areas for further investigation. “Drones have strayed into Finnish territory. We are taking the matter very seriously. Security authorities have reacted immediately. The investigation into the incidents continues and more information will be provided once the information is confirmed,” says Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen in a statement from the Ministry of Defence.

Earlier on Sunday, the Southeast Finland Police reported that a “flying device” had crashed into the terrain in Kouvola. The alert about the situation came in on Savistontie on Sunday morning at 10:04.

The police are investigating the origin of the device. No personal injuries were caused by the incident, reported broadcaster Aamlehti.

Police have cordoned off the area where the device fell. According to photographer Johannes Wiehn, who is on the scene west of the cordoned off area, there is one police car blocking traffic.

The Utti Jaeger Regiment declined to comment. It said it would provide information on the matter if necessary. The Jaeger Regiment is located approximately 25 kilometres from Savistontie.

There is also a small Selänpää airport nearby, where the Kouvola Region Aviation Association operates. The association, which consists of amateur pilots, was unaware of what had fallen from the sky. According to the association’s chairman, Antti Ruokolainen, no one on the ground knew anything about it.

Based on the services that monitor air traffic, no unusual traffic was observed in the skies over southeastern Finland on Sunday. However, not all traffic, such as the activities of the Defence Forces, is visible in the services.

The Finnish Defence Forces announced on Friday that they have intensified regional surveillance and safeguarding Finland’s territorial integrity, especially in southeastern Finland and the eastern Gulf of Finland.

The reason is a series of drone attacks launched 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 in Ukraine.

The Finnish Defence Forces said on Friday that they were prepared to repel unmanned aerial vehicles that intentionally or unintentionally enter Finnish airspace.

The incident, involving a NATO member state on Russia’s border, has heightened concerns over potential escalation amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.