The Border Guard announced on 31st March 2026 that an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) had been observed on the ice of Lake Pyhäjärvi, located within the municipality of Parikkala. As a result of this incident, the North Karelia Border Guard has initiated a preliminary investigation into the suspected territorial violation caused by the UAV.
Based on the information currently available to the investigation, it is believed that the aerial vehicle entered Finnish airspace between 30th and 31st March 2026. Efforts to clarify the exact time and location of the event are ongoing as part of the preliminary investigation.
At this stage, it appears that the UAV originates from Ukraine and may be connected to the same phenomenon that has been observed in Finland in recent times. Further investigation into these aspects will continue as part of the inquiry.
The National Bureau of Investigation has commenced a preliminary investigation into the unmanned aerial vehicle found on the ice of Lake Pyhäjärvi, Parikkala. The case is currently being investigated under the criminal charge of negligent endangerment.
– The case is not being investigated as a grossly negligent endangerment, unlike the two other cases involving the fall of aerial vehicles, as there is no indication that the crash site posed a significant risk to a large number of people. The charge could change during the course of the preliminary investigation, stated Detective Chief Superintendent Risto Lohi from the National Bureau of Investigation.
At this point in the investigation, it is evident that the unmanned aerial vehicles that have fallen in Finland originated from Ukraine. The National Bureau of Investigation and the North Karelia Border Guard are working closely together on this matter.
