A Finnish conscript's hand was injured on Thursday morning when a training hand grenade exploded during an exercise at the Niinisalo Garrison in southwest Finland.

The Armoured Brigade's communications specialist, Milla Huunonen, said it was unclear why the grenade detonated.

Other Defence Forces staff and conscripts were also at the grenade drill, but no-one else was injured. The Armoured Brigade has arranged crisis help for those at the scene.

The brigade is taking part in the Mighty Arrow 26 exercise, which started in late April and is scheduled to conclude next Saturday, 9 May. The exercise involves 2,800 personnel members, including around 350 troops from Lithuania and Estonia.

Wildfire breaks out during shooting drill

On Wednesday afternoon, a wildfire broke out during an Armoured Brigade drill at the Hätilä firing range in Hämeenlinna.

Even though the blaze was near the training area, it did not pose a danger to the shooting drill participants, the brigade announced.

The wildfire burned around two hectares of mixed forest before local firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze.

The brigade noted that it has prepared for dry terrain conditions in the area, in terms of the shooting range. The unit said it was maintaining a continuous risk assessment about the dry conditions, and would restrict the use of incendiary ammunition, if necessary.