Russian military transport aircraft suspected of violating Finnish airspace
Air Force F-18 Hornet fighters were scrambled Friday afternoon when it is believed that a Russian IL-76 military transport aircraft violated Finnish airspace south of the coast town of Porvoo.
The suspected violation took place at around 2:15 PM on Friday. The Russian aircraft was identified and photographed by Finnish Air Force fighters sent to investigate.
Finland Border Guard is investigating the incident as a possible violation of the nation’s airspace.
This was the second incident of its kind this year. The first involved a Polish aircraft. Last year, there were five confirmed violations of Finland’s airspace. Five of those were by Russian planes.
Related stories from around the North:
Denmark: Nordics to step up security cooperation on perceived Russian threat, Yle News
Finland: Finnish fighter jet broke sound barrier during unspecified operation, air force declines comment, Yle News
Norway: Norway must ramp up military in response to Russia: report, Barents Observer
Russia: Russia’s Northern Fleet plans large Arctic exercise in 2015, Barents Observer
Sweden: Activists arrested in Sweden during Arctic military exercise, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. Arctic rep: Russia’s Arctic buildup not necessarily martial, Alaska Public Radio Network
