Finnish companies are suspected of exporting almost 3,500 drones to Russia. Six suspects are in the criminal group, and one is in prison.
Finnish companies handed over 3,500 drones to the Russian Federation
Finnish Custom Service suspect that products exported by two Finnish companies and subject to EU sanctions ended up in Russia. The amount of production is more than three million euros.
Based on the preliminary investigation, there are indications that the activity was directed from Russia, Director of Finnish Customs Supervision Hannu Sinkkonen says.
According to the customs, a vast network of international companies was built during the processing, through which it was possible to finance the operation, for example, from Russia.
Two companies exported goods from Finland. The person responsible for both is currently in prison.
The first company acted as a procurement channel to purchase these devices. The second took care of organizing their transportation to Russia, Sinkkonen says.
Customs does not disclose the nationalities of the suspects or other information.
Russia can use Finnish drones for reconnaissance
Yle quotes expert Emil Castehelmi as saying that Russia could use drones that transport Finnish companies into the country, for example, for intelligence purposes.
He believes that drones are significant for the operational capability of Russian troops.
The Russians can use them, for example, for reconnaissance, battlefield surveillance, firing, or for small-scale attacks, such as throwing grenades. Of course, it depends on the specific model of drones.
According to Castehelmi, 3,500 drones are already a significant number in military terms.
