Finland accused Russia on Thursday of violating its airspace for the third time in less than a week, saying it would demand an explanation for what the defence minister termed an unacceptable incursion.
Finland scrambled jets to identify the Russian plane it suspected of crossing over, which it called a state aircraft referring to those used in military, customs and policeservices.
- From our perspective, this istotally unacceptable, the defence minister Carl Haglund said.
Haglund said the frequency of the incidents suggested the breaches of Finnish airspace seem to be intentional.
- Russia hasn't given valid explanations, Haglund added.
Helsinki accused Moscow of similar incursions on Saturday and Monday. Finland would step up monitoring within its airspace.
Finland shares a 1300-kilometer border with Russia.