MOSCOW: Following a series of drone attacks launched by Ukraine targeting Moscow, all airports in the city were shut down on Sunday as a pre...
MOSCOW: Following a series of drone attacks launched by Ukraine targeting Moscow, all airports in the city were shut down on Sunday as a precautionary measure, according to Russian state broadcaster RT.
The restrictions affected four major airports: Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky. The decision to close the airports followed the Russian air defense forces shooting down 11 Ukrainian drones aimed at Moscow within a single hour.
During the security threat, approximately 30 flights bound for Moscow were diverted to airports in other cities. Many flights landed at Nizhny Novgorod, while long-haul flights were diverted to St. Petersburg.
Peace talks currently underway in Geneva have not yet shown significant progress. Observers believe that the increasing frequency of drone attacks could adversely affect these negotiations.
The Russian aviation regulator, Rosaviatsia, stated that restrictions were imposed at the city's airports for security reasons and that air defense systems remain on high alert. Interfax, quoting Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, reported that at least seven drones targeting Moscow were intercepted. No casualties or significant damages have been reported.
Recently, Ukraine carried out an attack on a plant in Votkinsk—where Russia’s Iskander and Topol-M missiles are manufactured—using indigenously developed 'Flamingo' cruise missiles.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that it launched large-scale attacks on Ukraine's military and energy infrastructure within the last 24 hours. Russia also claimed to have shot down 326 Ukrainian drones and 7 HIMARS rockets.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 73 Ukrainian drones were destroyed on Sunday alone across the Bryansk, Belgorod, Kaluga, and Kursk regions. The majority of these (52 drones) were intercepted over the Bryansk region.
The Russian military also claims to have destroyed Ukrainian drone storage facilities and centers housing foreign mercenaries. Following Russian strikes, airports in the Izhevsk (Khavalse) region also temporarily suspended operations.
As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its fourth year, both nations have intensified attacks using missiles and drones. Russia notes that Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian cities, including Moscow, are becoming increasingly frequent.
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