Defense Minister: Russia Flew 2 Fighter Jets & 2 Bombers 2.5km Into Finland
Defense Minister: Russia Flew 2 Fighter Jets & 2 Bombers 2.5km Into Finland
- Four Russian military aircraft violated Finnish airspace near Loviisa on Monday.
- Finland remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine.
- Finland has a history of preparing for conflict with Russia, including total defense policies.
On June 10, Finland announced that a Russian military aircraft had violated its airspace. However, Finland has now stated that it was likely a much worse violation of its sovereignty. It now suspects four Russian military aircraft violated its airspace, or three more than had been previously thought. Russia is also believed to be behind a series of GPS jamming attacks in the region this year that have affected Finnish aviation.
Two bombers and two fighters violated Finnish airspace
According to Reuters, the Finnish Board Guard said in a statement on Friday, "As the investigation progresses, it has become apparent that in addition to the one Russian plane reported earlier, there is also reason to suspect three other planes of territorial infringement."
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"Of course, if these kinds of airspace violations happen, and if they are deliberate and serious, we react to them but the investigation is ongoing and the Border Guard is in charge of it." Finland's Chief of Defence Janne Jaakkola (reported by Reuters)
According to Finnish authorities, the Russian aircraft included two bombers and two fighter jets. It also stated that they penetrated some 1.6 miles into Finnish airspace near the city of Loviisa. This is believed to have been the first confirmed Finnish territorial infringement of Finnish airspace since August 2022 and the first since Finland joined NATO last year.
Separately, despite Russian provocations, Finland has stated its "support for Ukraine is unwavering. Finland with support Ukraine for as long as Ukraine needs to fight for its freedom."
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The attacks have affected nearly 1,600 aircraft flying in the vicinity.
Finland's history of frosty relations with Russia
Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden for over 600 years until Sweden was forced to cede it to the Russian Empire in 1809. Finland had a special autonomous status within the Russian Empire as a grand duchy. When the Russian Empire collapsed in 1917, Finland finally gained independence.
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The resurgent Soviet Union once again challenged Finnish independence in 1940, forcing Finland to fight the Winter War. After a stout defense against overwhelming odds, the Soviets annexed parts of Finland (including its second-largest city). However, Finland was able to remain independent. The war has left deep scars in Finland and a belief that Russia could always return to attack their country.
Throughout the Cold War, Finland was subjected to what is now called "Finlandization." It enjoyed nominal independence and its own political system but could not oppose the Soviet Union in any major way. After the fall of the USSR, Finland joined the European Union and now NATO and finally enjoyed political freedom.
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Since the Winter War (and Continuation War), Finland has prepared for another war with Russia. One measure visible to tourists when driving through Finland is stretches of remote highways that have been modified for fighter jets. This is so Finland can disperse its air force in the event of war. Finland operates on the assumption that its air bases would be under attack and may not be operational.
In such an eventuality, the Financial Times states that Finland has a policy of "total defense." Finland operates a reasonably potent air force for its size that includes a fleet of F/A-18 fighter jets. These are being replaced with fifth-generation F-35 Lightning IIs.