The Finnish Defence Forces says the restrictions were put in place as a precaution to protect civilians in the event of a drone interception.
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The Finnish Coast Guard and Navy monitor Finland’s territorial waters and airspace off the coast of Kotka. File photo, 17 April 2026. Image: Mårten Lampén / Yle
The Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) said early on Tuesday that they had temporarily restricted air and maritime traffic in the eastern Gulf of Finland. The restrictions were lifted at 7.13am.
According to the FDF, the measures were precautionary, intended to safeguard civilians if drones needed to be intercepted. No drones ultimately entered Finnish airspace or territory.
The airspace restrictions came into force at 5.26am, followed by restrictions on maritime traffic at 5.40am.
Air and maritime traffic has been restricted several times in recent weeks in the eastern Gulf of Finland. The measures have been linked to Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russia.
Among other outlets, the Kyiv Independent reported that Ukrainian drones had struck targets in the St Petersburg region.
