Finnish Defence Forces restrict movement in eastern Gulf of Finland

The Finnish Defence Forces imposed a temporary restriction on maritime and air traffic in the eastern Gulf of Finland on Monday morning, delaying ferry services from Kotka for about three hours.

The restrictions, confirmed by the Defence Forces to Yle, were linked to recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia. Authorities reported no drones had entered Finnish airspace. Military aircraft patrolled the area, and the restrictions were lifted around noon.

Ferry captain Tuomas Juhantila of the Otava said such delays may become routine this summer, as similar closures have occurred earlier, most recently last Saturday. Passengers, including event organisers and cottage-goers, waited at the docks. Some, like Mari Karmala heading to the Blueberry Day music festival, took the delay in stride, while others, such as event organiser Tomi Hevossaari, warned that a weekend closure would devastate attendance.