Moscow's major airports experienced temporary closures and flight cancellations due to sustained Ukrainian drone attacks. Officials reported that over 230 Ukrainian drones have been downed over Russia since Saturday morning, with 27 of those targeting the capital city.
According to Russia's aviation watchdog, operations at the four major airports serving Moscow were disrupted, leading to the redirection of over 130 flights. Normal operations have since resumed.
Russia's Association of Tour Operators (Ator) reported that Moscow airports were closed 10 times within a 24-hour period due to the attacks. The Kaluga region, located southwest of Moscow, was also affected, with its international airport temporarily closed following the interception of 45 drones.
Drone attacks have also been reported in regions near the Ukrainian border, including Rostov and Bryansk, as well as over the Black Sea. While there were no reported fatalities in Russia, at least three people were killed in Ukraine due to Russian air strikes overnight, according to regional officials.
This isn't the first instance of Ukrainian drone attacks causing travel disruptions in Russia. In May, approximately 60,000 passengers were stranded at airports across the country after Kyiv launched over 500 drones in a 24-hour period.
Impact on Rail Transport
In addition to the airport disruptions, a fire broke out at a train station in Kamenolomni, Rostov Oblast, due to falling drone debris. This resulted in the evacuation of three people and delays for 26 passenger trains, with some trains experiencing delays of up to 4.5 hours. Trains are now moving slower than usual through the station.
Moscow's Defenses
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that five drones attacking the capital were shot down by air defense systems. Emergency service specialists are currently working at the crash sites.
- Ukrainian drones attack Russia
- Moscow airports temporarily closed
- Flight cancellations and delays