The Finnish Defence Forces lifted temporary airspace and maritime restrictions in the eastern Gulf of Finland at 9 am on Friday after no drones strayed into Finnish airspace.
The restrictions had been introduced early in the morning as a precaution while Ukraine carried out drone strikes against targets in Russia.
According to the Defence Forces, the airspace restriction took effect at 5:42 am and the maritime restriction at 5:56 am.
The Defence Forces said the measures were intended to ensure the safety of civilians and allow authorities to respond to possible stray drones if necessary.
The restricted maritime area off Kotka extended from the waters around Kaunissaari in the west to the Port of Hamina in the north and Finland’s territorial sea boundary in the east and south. The airspace restriction covered a broader area of southeastern Finland.
Similar precautions taken earlier this year
Finland has imposed similar temporary restrictions several times this year during Ukrainian long-range drone operations against targets in Russia.
In July, the Defence Forces temporarily restricted air and sea traffic in the eastern Gulf of Finland on several occasions. In at least two of those cases, the restrictions were lifted after no drones were detected in Finnish airspace.
The possibility of drones straying into Finland is not merely theoretical. Finnish authorities confirmed in September that four military drones originating from Ukraine had entered Finnish territory during separate incidents in the spring.
The drones, which were carrying explosives, were found in Kouvola, Luumäki and near Parikkala in March, and near Iitti in April. Authorities concluded that Finland had not been their intended target.
Friday’s restrictions were lifted after the Defence Forces determined that no drones had strayed into Finnish airspace.