One helicopter (KA-27) crossed the Finnish border at a depth of 9 km and did not respond to radio warnings broadcasted by both the air force and border services of that country. It remained in the Finnish space for six minutes and reached the area of the island of Haapasaari, then returned to the territory of Russia. The Finns filed a formal protest and demanded an explanation.
A similar incident occurred in the early morning over the territory of Georgia. Russian military helicopter Mi-8 came from the territory of South Ossetia and remained for a few minutes in Georgian airspace. It was observed flying over the police station located in the town of Mereti, 2 km from the border.
The Russian defense ministry categorically denied that at that time any military helicopters operated near the border with Georgia.
