Fourth Ukrainian Drone Discovered in Finland as Iitti Investigation Expands
Fourth Armed Drone Found in Finland
A fourth armed drone has been discovered in Finland within a two-week period, this time in a forested area of Perheniemi in Iitti, approximately 140 kilometers northeast of Helsinki. The unmanned aircraft was reported by a member of the public on Saturday afternoon, April 11. The drone was found to be carrying an unexploded warhead and was subsequently destroyed in a controlled detonation later that evening, around 20:00 local time. Fortunately, no injuries or property damage were reported. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) indicated that this drone shares similar size, shape, and color characteristics with three earlier finds in southeastern Finland, and it is being investigated as part of the same series of incidents.
NBI Investigates Connection to Previous Incidents
Detective Inspector Sami Liimatainen of the NBI confirmed the connection between the Iitti find and earlier incidents, although he refrained from definitively identifying the drones’ origin. Investigators are currently examining whether all four drones entered Finnish airspace during a single event or through separate missions. The Iitti site is located nearly one kilometer from the nearest residential buildings. Officers from Häme Police, the Finnish Defence Forces, and the Border Guard secured the area and initiated technical examinations prior to the controlled detonation.
The Border Guard is treating the case as a suspected territorial violation. The NBI has launched a parallel investigation for aggravated endangerment due to the explosives carried by the drone. Lieutenant Jyri Siitari of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard stated that his unit is analyzing the drone’s origin, purpose, and flight conditions as part of a broader investigation. The area remained sealed on Sunday as officers collected evidence and interviewed witnesses.
Details on the AN-196 Liutyi Drone
The Finnish Air Force confirmed that at least one of the drones involved in the March 29 Kouvola incident was a Ukrainian AN-196 Liutyi, a one-way attack drone developed by Ukroboronprom in late 2022. The Liutyi is designed as a domestic response to Russia’s Iranian-supplied Shahed-136. It has a wingspan of nearly seven meters, weighs up to 300 kilograms, and can carry a warhead of up to 75 kilograms. Its operational range exceeds 1,000 kilometers, utilizing satellite navigation, inertial guidance, and terrain-matching for autonomous flight toward a target.
Following the Kouvola incident, three similar drones were found in southeastern Finland on March 29, with a third discovered days later near Parikkala, close to the Russian border. Ukraine has since apologized to Finland, attributing the drone incursions to Russian electronic jamming that disrupted the drones’ navigation systems during strikes on oil export infrastructure along the Gulf of Finland. Both Finland’s Foreign Minister and Prime Minister have deemed the territorial violations serious but have not requested Ukraine to cease its operations.
The discovery in Iitti marks a further northwest extension of this pattern, with Kouvola located approximately 22 kilometers to the southeast. The presence of an intact warhead on the Iitti drone confirms that these are not spent or post-detonation remnants, but fully armed munitions landing in Finnish territory.
Public Response and Safety Measures
Commissioner Tero Veijonmaa of Häme Police emphasized the importance of public vigilance, noting that the individual who reported the drone acted appropriately by maintaining a safe distance and contacting emergency services. Authorities have reiterated this warning to the public in light of all four incidents. Liimatainen remarked that the increasing use of drones in the Ukraine conflict raises the likelihood of similar incidents occurring beyond Finland’s borders. Small roads and forest paths near the Iitti site remained closed on Sunday as evidence collection continued.
Implications for Future Drone Operations
The recent series of drone discoveries raises significant concerns for NATO members bordering Russia. With four drones found in under two weeks, three of which were armed, the situation is evolving into a recurring operational challenge that requires strategic planning.
The ongoing dynamic remains largely unchanged since the Kouvola incident, with Ukraine targeting Russian oil infrastructure along the Gulf of Finland while Russia employs heavy electronic warfare to disrupt navigation. Some drones lose their signal and autonomously continue until they exhaust their fuel or altitude, resulting in their landing in Finland with live warheads. The underlying causes are understood, yet solutions such as improved navigation redundancy or temporary corridor adjustments have not yet been implemented.
The Iitti find, located 140 kilometers from Helsinki, indicates a widening geographic spread of drone incursions, raising concerns about potential future incidents closer to populated areas. It is anticipated that Ukraine will face pressure from Finland to implement technical fixes to prevent further occurrences. An official review of navigation protocols and a commitment to route adjustments may be forthcoming within the next month, as diplomatic considerations necessitate a proactive response.