Finnish security service: Russia using situation with Ukrainian drones in its propaganda

The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) has drawn attention to the spread in Russia of false information about recent drone incidents in Finland.

Source: Finnish public service media company Yle, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Since Sunday, three cases have been confirmed in which Ukrainian drones were suspected of entering Finnish territory.

Russia is using this situation in its propaganda. According to Supo, the events are already being interpreted in Russian media outlets in line with the position of the Russian leadership.

"For example, contrary to the facts, it is claimed that Finland allowed drones to be launched from its territory," the security service said.

Supo assesses that Russia is likely attempting to exploit these events for influence purposes and portray Finland as a state hostile to Russia.

The agency also noted that oil and gas terminals in the Gulf of Finland are vital for Russia, since energy exports are a cornerstone of the country's economy and a source of revenue used to finance its war.

Meanwhile, Supo said it is important for Russia to maintain its reputation as a reliable energy supplier.

For this reason, it is attempting to conceal the consequences of Ukrainian drone strikes for its own operations and use its information influence to reassure not only countries that purchase its oil but also its domestic audience.

"Russia is likely also trying to divert domestic public attention from its failures to prevent attacks from Ukraine by blaming Finland and other EU countries," the Finnish security service stated.

Supo continues to believe that Finland is not the primary target of Russian sabotage activity.

However, Russia may intensify such activity in other European countries in response to attacks on its energy sector.

Background:

• In recent days, three drones identified as "stray" Ukrainian aircraft have been found in various locations in southeastern Finland. Two were confirmed to have fallen on 28 March, while another was discovered on 31 March on the ice of a lake near the Russian border.
• During a series of Ukrainian strikes on Russian ports near St Petersburg last week, several drones strayed into Baltic territory and two crashed in Latvia and Estonia. Earlier, a drone had also crashed in Lithuania.
• On 31 March, another stray Ukrainian drone that had crashed there was again found in Estonia; in total, around 10 UAVs may have violated the country's airspace.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine had apologised to the Baltic states and Finland for these incidents, noting that they were most likely caused by the impact of Russian electronic warfare systems.

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