Finland scrambled fighter jets in response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian ports

On the night of March 31, the Finnish Air Force deployed fighter jets for patrols due to the threat of attack drones entering the country’s airspace during attacks on Russian ports in the Baltic Sea. 

According to Yle, Air Force Commander Major General Timo Herranen said at a briefing on March 31, 2026, that military aircraft were in the air almost constantly to maintain situational awareness regarding drone operations near the borders.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasized Ukraine’s right to self-defense and predicted continued raids on Russian ports in the Gulf of Finland, which are critical for Russian oil exports. Finland plans significant investments in drone detection and neutralization systems, seeing no need for additional assistance from allies at this time. Over the past week of sustained strikes, Ukrainian drones have already been detected in the Baltic states and Finland due to the specific flight paths over the Baltic Sea. Consequently, Helsinki is tightening security measures in response to the shift of hostilities to the immediate vicinity of its borders.

On the night of March 31, the Russian seaport of Ust-Luga came under a massive drone attack for the third time in a month.

Drones also attacked industrial facilities in the Samara region and Yaroslavl.