Finnish Navy had readiness to shoot down drones entering Finnish airspace but was denied permission

During March 2026, following drone attacks by Ukraine on Russian oil terminals at Primorsk and Ust-Luga, the Finnish Navy increased patrols along the eastern Gulf of Finland. On March 29, a drone detected in Finnish airspace was targeted by the Navy for shootdown but the Finnish Air Force did not authorize engagement. Several drones subsequently crashed in Finland, chiefly near Kouvola, marking a new development in the conflict’s spillover. Russian GNSS jamming and drone navigation disruptions caused drones to stray into Finnish territory. The maritime shadow fleet of aged Russian tankers continues to transit the Gulf under sanctions, affected by GNSS jamming that impairs navigation, prompting vessel crews to seek navigation assistance from Finnish authorities. The surveillance and operational tempo of Finnish Navy and border guards remain elevated with continuous missions to monitor the region.