Finnish authorities have launched an investigation after a drone was found in a forest in Iitti, with early findings linking the device to similar incidents across the country.
Police received a report from a member of the public on Saturday afternoon after the unmanned aircraft was spotted in the Perheniemi area, about 140 kilometres northeast of Helsinki. The site lies nearly one kilometre from the nearest homes.
Officers from Häme Police, supported by the Finnish Defence Forces and the Border Guard, secured the area and began technical examinations.
Officials confirmed that the drone carried an unexploded warhead, which led to a controlled detonation later in the evening.
Witnesses told local media, including Ilta-Sanomat, that a loud explosion was heard shortly after 20:00 local time. Authorities later confirmed that the device had been made safe through a planned blast. No injuries or damage to property were reported.
Detective Inspector Sami Liimatainen from the National Bureau of Investigation said the drone shares features with earlier discoveries in southeastern Finland. He said it resembles previous devices in size, shape and colour but stopped short of confirming its origin.
“This case is being examined together with earlier drone incidents,” Liimatainen said in a statement. He added that investigators are assessing whether all the drones entered Finnish territory during the same event.
Three similar drones were found earlier this spring in Kouvola, Luumäki and Parikkala. The Finnish Air Force has confirmed that at least one of those devices was a Ukrainian AN-196 attack drone. Authorities suspect the others may also be linked to Ukrainian operations targeting oil infrastructure in the Gulf of Finland.
A Ukrainian spokesperson previously suggested that signal disruption from Russia could explain why devices entered Finnish airspace.
The Border Guard is investigating the incident as a suspected territorial violation. At the same time, the National Bureau of Investigation is treating the case as aggravated endangerment due to the presence of explosives.
Lieutenant Jyri Siitari from the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard said authorities are analysing the drone’s origin, purpose and flight conditions. “We are investigating this as part of a wider whole with earlier cases,” he said.
Police said the public played a key role in reporting the discovery. Commissioner Tero Veijonmaa from Häme Police said the individual who alerted authorities acted correctly by avoiding contact with the device and calling emergency services.
Authorities have warned that more drones could be found. Liimatainen said the scale of drone use in the war in Ukraine increases the likelihood of further incidents beyond Finland’s borders.
The area where the drone was found remained sealed off on Sunday as officers continued to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Small roads and forest paths near the site were closed during the operation.
The incidents follow increased drone activity linked to strikes on Russian oil ports near the Gulf of Finland. Finnish authorities have not indicated any direct threat to national security but continue to monitor the situation.
Police have repeated guidance that members of the public should not approach or handle suspected drones or debris. Any sightings must be reported through the emergency number 112.
HT