Finland closes airspace, restricts maritime traffic near Russia over drone risk
HELSINKI — Finland’s military said on Tuesday it had closed a section of Finnish airspace and restricted maritime traffic off the country’s southern coast near the Russian border due to a risk of stray drones in the area.
Ukrainian military drones targeting Russia have strayed into the airspace of Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania this year, raising concerns that the war in Ukraine is spilling over into NATO’s northern borders.
Russia may use captured Ukrainian drones against Poland and Baltics, Warsaw warns
Finland was taking the steps “so that we can ensure the authorities are able to operate if drones were to stray into the area, meaning safe countermeasures and the safety of bystanders,” a military spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the military could not comment on the source of the information about possible drone activity, “as it is operational information.”
Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian targets with long-range drones. It and NATO countries have blamed Russian signal jamming for diverting some Ukrainian drones into NATO airspace. Moscow accuses Ukraine of intentionally steering drones across the borders.
Finland's military closed a section of airspace and restricted maritime traffic off its southern coast due to the risk of stray drones. This action follows incidents of Ukrainian drones entering NATO airspace, raising concerns about the spillover of the Ukraine conflict. The Finnish military emphasized the need for safe countermeasures and the safety of bystanders.
- Finland closed a section of its airspace due to drone risks.
- Maritime traffic restrictions were implemented off the southern coast near the Russian border.
- Ukrainian military drones have strayed into NATO airspace this year.
- Concerns have been raised about the war in Ukraine spilling over into NATO's northern borders.
- Russia may use captured Ukrainian drones against Poland and the Baltics.