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Finland has summoned a senior Russian diplomat following a suspected violation of Finnish airspace by a Russian military aircraft on Tuesday afternoon.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed that Russia’s deputy head of mission was called in for a meeting on Wednesday. The ministry declined to provide further details.
The incident allegedly took place off the coast of Porvoo, about 50 kilometres east of Helsinki, in the early afternoon. The Finnish Border Guard is leading the investigation.
Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said that authorities began examining the case immediately after it occurred. “We are treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves,” he told local media.
The incident is the second of its kind in recent weeks. In late May, two Russian military aircraft were suspected of breaching Finnish airspace in the same area. That episode prompted the foreign ministry to summon Russia’s ambassador to Finland, Pavel Kuznetsov, and deliver a diplomatic note.
The Defence Ministry and the Border Guard have not disclosed which type of aircraft was involved in Tuesday’s case, nor how far or how long it may have entered Finnish territory.
Russia has not commented publicly on the incident. In previous cases, Moscow has denied intentional airspace violations and characterised such occurrences as navigational errors.
The Finnish government has raised concerns about the pattern of incidents and views the suspected breaches as unacceptable. Airspace violations, even brief ones, are treated as serious matters under international law and often lead to diplomatic consequences.
Finland joined NATO in April 2023 and has since increased its defence coordination with alliance members. The Finnish Air Force has also stepped up aerial surveillance near the eastern border in response to heightened regional tensions.
No Finnish military aircraft were reported to have been scrambled in connection with the suspected breach on Tuesday.
The investigation is ongoing. The foreign ministry has not said whether additional diplomatic action will follow.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
