Airspace curbs introduced in Finland over risk of stray drones

Finland’s armed forces have again imposed restrictions on the use of airspace and maritime areas near the southeastern cities of Kotka and Hamina, citing risks related to drones, according to the Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The restrictions came into effect on the morning of July 28. The designated exclusion zone covers waters from the island of Kaunissaari in the west to the port of Hamina in the north.

Officials at the General Staff of the Finnish Defence Forces told Yle that the measures are preventive and linked to the possibility of drones entering Finnish territory after deviating from their intended routes during attacks on targets in Russia.

According to the military, restricting both air and sea traffic in the area would allow authorities to safely intercept or neutralise any such unmanned aerial vehicles if necessary.

Similar restrictions have been introduced previously in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, including last week, also in connection with Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory.

By Tamilla Hasanova