Air and sea traffic restricted in Gulf of Finland amid Ukraine's strike on Russia
Restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure (photo: 24tv)
Finland temporarily imposed restrictions on air and maritime traffic in the eastern Gulf of Finland on Saturday morning, July 4, Yle reports.
The outlet says air traffic was suspended shortly after 5 a.m., followed later by restrictions on maritime traffic. The restricted zones were located near the city of Kotka.
The Finnish Defense Forces said the measures were related to Ukraine's military operations against Russia, specifically drone strikes.
"Fighter jets have been seen over Kotka throughout the morning. The Defense Forces have confirmed increased air patrols in the area," Yle reported.
According to the Finnish military, no drones were detected in Finnish airspace, and the restrictions were purely precautionary.
All restrictions were lifted by 9:18 a.m. The media also noted that air traffic had last been restricted on Thursday.
What preceded these restrictions
Earlier this morning, Russian residents reported hearing a series of explosions in St. Petersburg. It was later confirmed that drones had targeted the city. Following the blasts, a fire broke out near an oil terminal and port infrastructure.
Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the press service of the Special Operations Forces confirmed that the attack had targeted port oil infrastructure that generates revenue for Russia's war against Ukraine.
Also, Ukrainian forces struck the Kronstadt naval base in Russia's Leningrad region, located more than 850 kilometers from Ukraine.
