Russia Three Moscow airports report outages due to drone danger

Following the drone attacks in the Moscow region, three airports in the capital were closed for take-offs and landings for several hours. The airports affected were Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky, according to the Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsiya in Moscow. According to the report, operations only continued unhindered at the capital's largest airport, Sheremetyevo.

According to the information, there were no take-offs or landings at the other three airports for over six hours until the morning. The number of flight cancellations was initially unclear. The all-clear was given at around 8.00 a.m. (7.00 a.m. CEST). The restrictions had been lifted, it said. According to Russian reports, more than a dozen drones had previously been shot down in the Moscow region.

"Aircraft crews, air traffic controllers and airport services took all necessary measures to ensure flight safety - this is a top priority," said a Rosavitsiya spokesperson. In the past, take-offs and landings have also been temporarily halted at Moscow airports following drone attacks.

These new restrictions are likely to have been the biggest since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine more than two and a half years ago. Ukraine has repeatedly attacked targets in Russia as part of its defensive campaign.

In Kazan, the capital of the Russian republic of Tatarstan, there were once again no take-offs or landings at the airport. This is where Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin intends to host the Brics summit of emerging industrialized countries in October. Brics stands for the founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. However, other countries have since joined. It is by far the biggest political event in Russia this year.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported this morning that at least 144 drone attacks had been repelled in various parts of the country. The Bryansk region alone, located on the border with Ukraine, reported 72 repelled attacks. In the city of Ramenskoye near Moscow, a 46-year-old woman died when the upper floors of a house caught fire after a drone attack, according to the authorities. Three people were injured. Dozens of residents had to be evacuated to safety.

SDA