Finland Reports Russia Violated Its Airspace

Helsinki has filed a formal complaint with Moscow, escalating tensions between the two countries.

Finland's Defense Ministry announced Tuesday that a Russian military helicopter had violated Finnish airspace near the eastern border town of Parikkala. The incident occurred on Monday, and the helicopter allegedly remained in Finnish airspace for about five minutes. The military responded by scrambling fighter jets and summoning the Russian military attaché in Helsinki. Finland's Defense Minister, Jussi Niinistö, expressed his concern about the incident and said that it will have consequences. Russia has denied the allegations, claiming that the helicopter was on a training mission and did not enter Finnish airspace. This incident is the latest in a series of escalating tensions between Finland and Russia, including Moscow's recent ban on Finnish agricultural products and Helsinki's decision to increase military spending. Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia and has been cautious in its approach to Moscow, but the airspace violation has raised concerns about Russian intentions.