Finland’s Prime Minister has said authorities should have informed residents after two drones crossed into the country and crashed in the south, as officials examine gaps in communication and air defence.
Two drones fell on Sunday in Kouvola and Luumäki. Authorities later linked both devices to Ukraine, with one confirmed and the other assessed as likely Ukrainian.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said officials had reviewed the sequence of events and accepted that public communication fell short.
“In hindsight, it would have been appropriate to inform residents in the area,” he said during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Authorities received the first emergency call at 9:34am. By that point both drones had already reached the ground. Police and rescue services then secured the sites.
Officials said no warning alert was issued because the defence forces assessed that the situation did not meet the legal threshold. Police director general Ilkka Koskimäki said the objects were already on the ground when authorities became aware of them.
One of the drones landed north of Kouvola and did not pass over the city centre, according to the Finnish Air Force. The second device in Luumäki was not tracked visually before impact.
Air Force commander Timo Herranen said current systems do not provide continuous tracking of small and slow aerial devices. “No country has the capability to monitor such objects at all times with full accuracy,” he said.
Officials said both drones may have carried explosive payloads, though confirmation remains incomplete. One device was destroyed by controlled detonation late on Sunday after authorities identified a potential unexploded warhead.
Orpo said there is no indication the drones were directed at Finland. He linked the incident to ongoing operations connected to the war in Ukraine. “Nothing at this stage suggests the drones were intentionally sent to Finland,” he said.
He added that Ukraine had apologised through diplomatic channels and that Finland had issued a formal protest. President Alexander Stubb has also discussed the matter with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the government.
Orpo said the drones may have deviated from their route due to countermeasures such as electronic interference. Ukrainian strikes in recent weeks have targeted oil infrastructure in Russia near the Gulf of Finland.
“The war has come closer,” Orpo said, noting that Ukraine has launched more than 2,500 drones against energy targets in the region.
Parliamentary committees met on Tuesday to review the incident and assess national preparedness. Defence Committee chair Heikki Autto said the situation reflects broader security pressures linked to the war.
“The effects of war can extend across Finland’s borders,” he said after the meeting. He added that authorities had maintained control throughout the incident.
Autto said public communication requires improvement and called for faster and more targeted alerts. “Adequate information is important. Systems need updating so messages reach people quickly,” he said.
Deputy chair Mikko Savola said Finland faces no direct military threat but must respond to changing conditions. “There is no system that offers complete protection,” he said, adding that surveillance of airspace has been strengthened.
Officials said future responses may include adjustments to legislation and alert systems. Orpo said the government will consider accelerating existing plans to improve drone defence.
He said decisions on funding could be taken during upcoming budget talks. “If there is a critical need now, additional funding will be considered,” he said.
The Air Force said it has increased monitoring in recent days. Fighter aircraft were deployed for extended periods to maintain situational awareness during heightened activity near Finnish airspace.
Herranen said current Hornet jets face limits in detecting small drones, while incoming F-35 aircraft will improve detection capability. “The difference in capability is significant,” he said.
Authorities stressed that any escalation involving multiple drones would shift the situation into emergency conditions, allowing broader powers under Finnish law.
Orpo said coordination between agencies will be reviewed to ensure faster response times. “Communication between authorities must be immediate and aligned from the first observation,” he said.
No injuries were reported in either incident.
HT