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Russian military transport aircraft suspected of violating Finnish airspace

Air Force F-18 Hornet fighters were scrambled Friday afternoon when it is believed that a Russian IL-76 military transport aircraft violated Finnish airspace south of the coast town of Porvoo.

Venäjän ilmavoimien IL-76 kuljetuskone
Venäjän ilmavoimien IL-76 kuljetuskone Image: Ilmavoimat

The suspected violation took place at around 2:15 PM on Friday. The Russian aircraft was identified and photographed by Finnish Air Force fighters sent to investigate.

Finland Border Guard is investigating the incident as a possible violation of the nation's airspace.

This was the second incident of its kind this year. The first involved a Polish aircraft. Last year, there were five confirmed violations of Finland's airspace. Five of those were by Russian planes.

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