Finland scrambles fighter jets as Helsinki Airport closes due to suspected drone activity
The Finnish defence forces earlier scrambled fighter jets and other emergency services in response to the situation, but said in a statement that Finland was not facing a direct military threat
Finnish defence sources scrambled jets while Helsinki airport ground to a halt after suspected drone activity was detected over the capital.
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After suspected drone activity in the skies above the country's capital region, Finland reassured its citizens that it no longer posed a threat and that the situation was returning to normal.
Finland and the nearby Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have seen a string of recent incidents where Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia have strayed into their airspace, but it was not immediately known if Friday's incident was similar.
The Finnish defence forces scrambled fighter jets and other emergency services in response to the situation, but said in a statement that Finland was not facing a direct military threat.
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Uudellemaalle on annettu vaaratiedote drooneista. Viranomaistoimet ovat käynnissä. Puolustusvoimat on tehostanut omaa valvonta- ja torjuntakykyään. Kehotan kaikkia seuraamaan viranomaistiedotteita.
— Petteri Orpo (@PetteriOrpo) May 15, 2026
"The danger is over. People can go to work and school safely," Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said in a post on social media website X.
Traffic at Helsinki's airport also resumed after a three-hour suspension, according to a statement on its website.
"Authorities are taking action. The Defence Forces have enhanced their own surveillance and response capabilities. I urge everyone to follow the authorities' bulletins," Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said in a statement on X.
Recent airspace violations by Ukrainian drones come as Kyiv has intensified attacks on Russia's oil export infrastructure, including massive strikes on the Primorsk and Ust-Luga ports on the Baltic Sea.
Latvia's government coalition on Thursday collapsed amid internal divisions over the handling of a recent drone incident, following Prime Minister Evika Silina's decision last weekend to fire Defence Minister Andris Spruds.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that Ukraine would send experts to Latvia to help protect the country's skies.