Finland lifts air and sea restrictions in Gulf of Finland after drone threat alert

Story Timeline
2 hours · 2 summary articles
NATO jets scramble as drones breach Estonian airspace, triggering Baltic alerts
ContinuationFinland lifts air and sea restrictions in Gulf of Finland after drone threat alert
Finnish Defense Forces imposed temporary restrictions on aviation and maritime traffic in the eastern Gulf of Finland early Tuesday, citing a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and operational conditions for authorities amid potential drone threats.
The restrictions took effect at 3:37 a.m. local time, covering an airspace zone and a maritime area off Kotka. The maritime closure extended west to Kaunissaari Strait, north to the Port of Hamina, and east and south to Finland’s territorial waters, according to Fintraffic. The Defense Forces lifted the aviation restrictions at 6:00 a.m. and the maritime restrictions at 6:10 a.m., confirming no drones entered Finnish territory.
The move followed a Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Ust-Luga port in the Leningrad region, which triggered a fire, according to Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko. Drozdenko reported via Telegram that 44 drones were shot down over the Leningrad region overnight, an area bordering Finland and Estonia.
Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said drones entered Estonian airspace near the border, prompting a scramble of fighter jets from Ämari Air Base. NATO responded “quickly and precisely according to plan,” Tsahkna said on X, adding that such incidents stem from Russia’s war in Ukraine and underscore the need for continued pressure on Moscow. Estonia later lifted its air raid alert.
Latvia also issued an air threat warning overnight, advising residents in Ludza municipality near the Russian border to seek shelter. The Latvian Defense Forces deployed NATO Baltic air policing jets and declared the threat over at 4:17 a.m. local time.
Russia conducted airstrikes on Kyiv for the sixth consecutive day, killing at least seven people, and targeted areas near Romania’s border in Izmail district, according to Reuters. Ukraine also struck Russia’s Samara region, with local Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev claiming damage to civilian buildings.
Follow us for live European news
- 2
