One of the two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that came down in south-east Finland on Sunday 29 March was rendered safe yesterday evening by means of a controlled explosion. The explosion was carried out because the UAV, which had come down north of Kouvola, was assessed in a preliminary evaluation by the authorities to have explosives attached.
Investigations into the incidents involving the UAVs that came down in south-east Finland are continuing, with the relevant authorities working in close collaboration. The National Bureau of Investigation continues the criminal investigation, while South-East Finland Police Department maintains cordons around the landing sites of the two UAVs that came down north of Kouvola and in Luumäki on Sunday. Finnish Defence Forces executive assistance detachments have been supporting the police operation.
All but two of the persons evacuated from the area were able to return to their homes for the night, according to Detective Superintendent Jukka Lankinen of South-East Finland Police Department.
The UAV that came down north of Kouvola was found, in a preliminary assessment by the authorities, to have an unexploded warhead attached, as a result of which it was destroyed in a controlled explosion at 23:26 yesterday evening. The explosion heard in the area during the night was the result of the controlled explosion carried out by the authorities to render the unexploded warhead safe.
In Luumäki, police and the Border Guard have been examining the site and its surroundings over the past two days. The authorities are investigating whether the UAV had exploded on impact.
Debris from the UAV has been found scattered across the area around the landing site in Luumäki, and the search for further debris is continuing today as a joint operation by the authorities. Police have also been investigating a reported UAV sighting in Pyhtää, Kymenlaakso, but enquiries have established that the sighting in all likelihood relates to the incidents in Kouvola and Luumäki.
— The criminal investigation is progressing as the landing scenes are made safe for work and as UAV parts are recovered and examined. At the same time, police are conducting tactical investigations, including the interviewing of witnesses. As the investigation progresses, the origin of the devices will also be established, says Detective Chief Superintendent Risto Lohi of the National Bureau of Investigation.
The National Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case as grossly negligent endangerment. The Finnish Border Guard is responsible for the investigation into the territorial violation. The National Bureau of Investigation and the Finnish Border Guard have agreed to establish a joint investigation team to investigate the case.
— Finnish Border Guard continues to investigate the territorial violation. For example, searches are being conducted in the lakes near the landing sites to locate further parts of the UAVs, says Deputy Commander Ilja Iljin of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District.
The police wish to emphasise that should members of the public find any debris or other objects in the terrain that may be connected to Sunday's incidents, these must under no circumstances be approached or touched. Any such findings should be reported to the authorities by calling the emergency number 112.
