Finland to deploy reservists for patrols amid incidents involving Ukrainian drones
Photo: soldiers of the Finnish Armed Forces (Getty Images)
Finland plans to involve military reservists in patrol duties after Ukrainian drones entered its airspace during strikes on Russian targets, according to Yle.
Finland’s Armed Forces noted that Ukrainian drones flying to strike Russian ports near St. Petersburg sometimes enter the country’s airspace.
In response, reservists are being invited to take part in monitoring operations carried out by the military and other agencies.
Their involvement will take place in the form of training exercises to refresh skills. Invitations will be sent to reservists who have previously agreed to participate in such activities.
Using reservists’ experience should ease the strain on regular services. Currently, monitoring airspace near the Russian border requires significant resources from both the military and border guards, as surveillance is conducted on land and at sea.
In addition, the armed forces urged civilians not to disclose information about the location or movement of military units, including on social media.
Ukrainian drones in the Baltic Sea region
In late March, two drones crashed in Finland. Both Kyiv and Helsinki confirmed that the drones were not targeting Finnish territory but changed course due to Russian interference during an attack on targets in Russia.
In addition, on April 11, a drone was found in Finland after crashing. The device was neutralized, and afterward, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the country had stepped up countermeasures against drones.
It is also noted that on April 12, a fragment of a drone wing washed ashore on a beach in Estonia’s Lääne-Viru County. According to preliminary data, the find may be part of a Ukrainian drone.
