Finland closes its airspace in the southeast due to the Ukrainian attack on a Russian port

The Finnish Defense Forces closed air and maritime traffic in the southeast of the country for several hours this Wednesday due to the Ukrainian drone attack against the Russian oil port of Ust-Luga, near Saint Petersburg.

"The Defense Forces have established a temporary restriction zone in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland at 02:09 (00:09 GMT) and in the maritime zone at 02:15 (00:15 GMT)," the Finnish Army warned through the X social network.

"This is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of civilians and the ability of authorities to combat possible drone attacks," the Defense Forces added.

The temporary closure of Finnish air and maritime space, the second in less than a month, lasted just over five hours and was lifted at 07:20 (05:20 GMT).

The Ukrainian attack caused a fire at the Russian Ust-Luga oil terminal due to the impact of several drones and caused the temporary closure of the Pulkovo international airport, in neighboring Saint Petersburg, according to Russian authorities.

Due to this closure, two flights bound for this city from Turkey and Egypt were diverted and forced to land at Helsinki airport, from where they were later able to continue their journey, according to the Finnish Coast Guard.

Finland has been forced to restrict air and sea traffic on several occasions in recent months due to increased drone attacks by Ukraine against Russian targets in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, including the oil ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga.