Finland investigates possible airspace violation by Russian aircraft over Gulf of Finland
Finland's Defence Ministry says a Russian aircraft may have violated the country's airspace on August 20 over the eastern Gulf of Finland, and an investigation is underway.
Finland's Ministry of Defence has reported a possible violation of the country's airspace that occurred on the afternoon of August 20 in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland. The ministry said the incident may have involved a Russian aircraft but did not specify its type.
The ministry stated that it treats any airspace violations seriously and that an investigation into the incident is underway.
Expert assessment
Joel Linnainmäki, a researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, told the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat that he does not view the incident as a deliberate provocation.
Previous incidents
This is not the first suspected airspace violation reported this year. A similar incident occurred in May, when a Russian military aircraft reportedly deviated from its course to avoid a thunderstorm. Last year, Russia's ambassador was also summoned to Finland's Foreign Ministry to explain another suspected airspace violation.
