Estonia has imposed temporary flight restrictions along its entire eastern border following increased military activity in Russia’s Leningrad region, according to ERR.
The restrictions, which affect flights up to 6,000 meters altitude, will operate nightly from 8 PM to 7 AM for the coming weeks. The measure responds to heightened activity from Russian forces and Ukrainian drones operating in the border area.
“We are only restricting part of aviation activity. In simple terms, this means that those who contact us and justify their actions, like the Police and Border Guard Department last night when they searched for a missing person using a drone, can continue working,” explained Estonian Air Force Commander Riivo Valge.
The flight ban aims to reduce the number of objects air surveillance operators must track.
“If an incident occurs, it will be easier to remove civilian aircraft from the zone or land them,” Valge added.
Estonia’s Defense Forces will conduct detailed air surveillance, training exercises, and flexible airspace protection in the region over the coming weeks. The restrictions followed the closure of St. Petersburg’s airspace due to drone attacks on 11 September.
“We received information that Petersburg’s airspace was closed due to an attack. We carefully observed Russian aircraft and helicopters near our borders and strengthened our surveillance capabilities. This happened last night,” Valge said.
The measures initially affected the Helsinki-Tartu airline route. Air Traffic Control Service representative Mihkel Haug noted that information arrived unexpectedly and rapidly Wednesday.
“Our goal is passenger and pilot safety. Therefore, the initial measures were strict. Today we reviewed the restricted zone, discussed with the Air Force the part of the zone needed by Finnair for Tartu flights at certain hours, and made it free,” Haug said.
Finnair confirmed it can operate under the modified conditions after the Air Force officially changed the restricted zone boundaries.
Estonia’s Defense Forces maintain their threat assessment remains unchanged, with no direct or immediate military threat to the country. However, the region has experienced increased air incidents caused by Russia’s military actions against Ukraine.
Finland and Latvia have introduced similar flight restriction zones in their border areas.
On 25 August, a farmer in Estonia’s Tartu County discovered fragments of a strike drone with an explosion crater at the site. Security Police assessed the drone crashed in Estonia early Sunday morning and may have been Ukrainian.
The drone attacks targeted objects in St. Petersburg and the oil terminal at Ust-Luga port near Estonia’s border. Multiple Russian airports introduced restrictions and airlines modified their schedules in response to the incidents.
Military officials say it remains too early to determine how long the flight restrictions will remain in place.