Finland is investigating a suspected Russian airspace violation over the western Gulf of Finland, as a growing number of incidents involving Russian military activity raise tensions along NATO\u2019s eastern flank.<\/p>\n
The Finnish Defence Ministry said on August 20 that a Russian aircraft was suspected of entering Finnish airspace over the Baltic Sea.<\/p>\n
Defence Minister Antti H\u00e4kk\u00e4nen said an investigation was under way, with the Finnish Border Guard leading the inquiry. Authorities said further details would be released as the investigation progresses.<\/p>\n
The aircraft\u2019s type, flight path and the length of time it was allegedly inside Finnish airspace were not immediately disclosed.<\/p>\n
The incident comes amid heightened concern among NATO members over Russian military flights and drone activity close to the alliance\u2019s eastern borders.<\/p>\n
Finnish authorities previously reported a suspected Russian airspace violation on May 27, when a Russian military aircraft was believed to have entered Finnish airspace near<\/a> Porkkala while attempting to avoid thunderstorms. Finland\u2019s Air Force conducted an operational flight in response.<\/p>\n NATO countries have repeatedly scrambled fighter aircraft to investigate or intercept unidentified or suspicious Russian military activity in and around alliance airspace.<\/p>\n The latest incident comes as NATO\u2019s eastern flank faces a series of drone-related security alerts.<\/p>\n