Moscow airports temporarily closed after Ukraine drone attacks
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Drone threat reportedly causes mass flight delays in Russia’s Moscow, St. Petersburg airports
Russia’s largest airports experienced hours-long flight delays and cancellations on July 5. Authorities imposed temporary restrictions due to a reported threat of Ukrainian drone attacks. Some passengers in Russia reported waiting more than 10 hours as their flights were being delayed, according to pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Shot. Ukraine hasn’t commented on the report.
Ukraine hasn’t commented on the report. Kyiv’s drone campaign, which has increasingly disrupted civilian air travel in Russia, is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to undermine Russia’s logistics far beyond the front line.
Some passengers in Russia reported waiting more than 10 hours on July 5 as their flights were being delayed, according to Shot.
Departures at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport were halted for several hours, delaying over 20 flights. At St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport, roughly 50 flights were delayed and more than 20 canceled.
Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdenko said that two drones were shot down south of St. Petersburg, prompting a temporary suspension of operations at Pulkovo Airport.
The disruptions followed a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks overnight, which targeted military and industrial infrastructure in at least six Russian regions.
The Russian Defense Ministry said it intercepted 42 drones within three hours, mainly over the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk oblasts near the Ukrainian border.
Novaya Gazeta Europe reported in May that at least 217 temporary airport closures have occurred across Russia since Jan. 1 due to drone threats, more than in 2023 and 2024 combined.
A similar wave of strikes ahead of Russia’s Victory Day in May led to massive delays, affecting an estimated 60,000 travelers.
Massive Drone Attack Disrupts Moscow Airports, Damages Buildings and Cars
Residents in Zelenograd reported hearing explosions, with windows shattered. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin claimed that Russian air defenses allegedly shot down at least 16 drones heading toward the city. As a result of the attack, all Moscow airports—Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky—temporarily suspended operations. Russian authorities have not released any official information on the targets or extent of the damage.
In another residential courtyard, two cars caught fire—reportedly due to debris from a downed drone. In the village of Golube, locals said the explosions were so powerful that walls and windows shook in their homes.
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Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin claimed that Russian air defenses allegedly shot down at least 16 drones heading toward the city. As a result of the attack, all Moscow airports—Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky—temporarily suspended operations.
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In Kaluga region, residents also reported hearing loud drone flyovers and claimed that air defense systems were activated. As is typical, Russian authorities have not released any official information on the targets or extent of the damage.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense later stated that its air defenses had allegedly shot down 93 drones overnight across nine regions, including 19 over Moscow Oblast.
Other Topics of Interest Russia May Launch 2,000 Drones at Once in Massive Attack on Ukraine, German General Warns Moscow may be preparing to launch up to 2,000 drones simultaneously against Ukraine, posing a major challenge for the country’s air defense.
Despite ongoing Russian strikes on residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, and critical facilities, Ukraine consistently adheres to international humanitarian law and targets only legitimate military objectives. All actions by the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducted in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, with a clear distinction made between civilian and military targets.
As of the time of publication, Kyiv had not officially commented on any possible involvement in the attack.
This follows a similar incident early on July 19, when drone debris damaged overhead lines on the Likhaya–Zamchalovo rail section in Russia’s Rostov region, leading to delays for 75 long-distance trains and the cancellation of several commuter services.
Moscow airports temporarily closed after Ukraine drone attacks
More than 230 Ukrainian drones were downed over Russia since Saturday morning. At least 140 flights were cancelled and more than 130 redirected. Three people were killed during Russian air strikes on Ukraine overnight. In May, at least 60,000 passengers were stranded at airports across the country after Kyiv launched more than 500 drones in a 24-hour period, according to Russia’s defence ministry. The latest attacks come as the Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to move towards a peace settlement with Ukraine. He said that Moscow’s priority was to “achieve our goals” and that Putin wanted a peaceful settlement as soon as possible. It has been nearly three-and-a-half years since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Previous attempts by Russia and Ukraine to negotiate an end to the fighting have failed to achieve a ceasefire.
A sustained Ukrainian drone attack on Russia caused Moscow’s major airports to be temporarily closed and saw at least 140 flights cancelled, officials said.
More than 230 Ukrainian drones were downed over Russia since Saturday morning – including 27 over the capital – according to the Russian defence ministry.
According to Russia’s aviation watchdog, the four major airports serving the capital were disrupted and more than 130 flights also had to be redirected. All have since resumed normal operations.
Meanwhile, at least three people were killed during Russian air strikes on Ukraine overnight, according to regional officials.
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Russia’s Association of Tour Operators (Ator) said on Sunday that Moscow airports were closed 10 times in 24 hours due to the strikes.
The Kaluga region, southwest of Moscow, was also affected. Russia’s defence ministry said it had intercepted 45 drones since Saturday morning, resulting in Kaluga International Airport also being temporarily closed.
Russia’s defence ministry said drones were also shot down over regions near the Ukrainian border including Rostov and Bryansk, as well as over the Black Sea. No fatalities were reported.
This is not the first time that Ukrainian drone attacks have caused travel disruption in Russia. In May, at least 60,000 passengers were stranded at airports across the country after Kyiv launched more than 500 drones in a 24-hour period, according to Russia’s defence ministry.
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Regional officials in Ukraine said two people died after Russian air strikes in different parts of Donetsk, while a 78-year-old woman died after residential buildings burned down in Sumy.
Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 18 out of 57 Russian drones overnight into Sunday, while a further seven drones were lost after their radars were jammed.
As well as Sumy and Donetsk, other front-line areas of Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk were attacked, as was Zaporizhzhia.
Several homes were damaged or destroyed overnight in Donetsk due to a Russian attack [Donetsk Regional State Administration]
The latest attacks come as the Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to move towards a peace settlement with Ukraine but that Moscow’s priority was to “achieve our goals”.
“President Putin has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible. This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy,” he said in a televised interview.
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It has been nearly three-and-a-half years since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a new round of talks with Moscow, aimed at restarting negotiations that halted last month.
Previous attempts by Russia and Ukraine to negotiate an end to the fighting have failed to achieve a ceasefire, but have resulted in prisoner swaps.
Zelensky also repeated his readiness to meet Russia’s Vladimir Putin face-to-face, saying: “A meeting at the leadership level is needed to truly ensure peace.”
Ukraine was this week given a boost when US President Donald Trump – who has in the past often expressed support and admiration for Russia’s leader – announced that the US would send “top-of-the-line weapons” to Ukraine via Nato countries.
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Trump also threatened Russia with severe tariffs if a deal to end the war is not reached within 50 days, and later told the BBC that he was “disappointed” with Putin but “not done”.
Reacting to this in Sunday’s interview, Peskov said: “Everyone has grown accustomed to his [Trump’s] rather harsh and straightforward rhetoric.
“At the same time, he reaffirms his intention to continue doing everything possible to facilitate a peaceful settlement.”
Moscow Airports Suffer Chaos After Devastating Drone Attacks – 140 Flights Canceled, What You Need To Know Now!
Moscow Airports Suffer Chaos After Devastating Drone Attacks – 140 Flights Canceled, What You Need To Know Now! Dozens of cancellations and delays across the city’s airspace. Thankfully the airports had returned back to normal by later that day, but the damage had already been done and thousands of passengers had been affected by the madness. The drone attacks created chaos in Moscow, the war in Ukraine continued to intensify as well. Russian airstrikes killed at least two people in Ukraine”s Donetsk region. In Sumy also, a five-storey residential buildings were leveled by probably an accident, killing a 78-year-old woman in the process. The latest drone strikes and missile assaults follow other airstrikes and drone assaults as diplomatic attempts continue to mitigate the clash.
Russia closed its busy airports temporarily after a sustained Ukrainian drone attack on Russia, causing travel delays to backlog. The attack, which took place on Saturday and affected flights for at least 140 flights, led to dozens of cancellations and delays across the city’s airspace.
The Russian defence ministry said more than 230 Ukrainian drones were shot down throughout Russia, with 27 in Moscow. Thankfully the airports had returned back to normal by later that day, but the damage had already been done and thousands of passengers had been affected by the madness.
Moscow’s Main Airports Are Hit Hard
Four main airports serving Moscow bore the brunt of the drone attack, Russia’s aviation watchdog said. More than 130 flights were diverted as a result. The cancellations spread to multiple other international and domestic flights, causing schedules to go awry.
Although some initial disruption was caused, the airports were operating normally including full capacity at airports on the same day. State conglomerate SMRT, the ruling company running the country’s airports, said all appropriate measures were being taken to resolve the incident promptly.
A Human Toll and Further Attacks in Ukraine
Although the drone attacks created chaos in Moscow, the war in Ukraine continued to intensify as well. Russian airstrikes killed at least two people in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. In Sumy also, a five-storey residential buildings were leveled by probably an accident, killing a 78-year-old woman in the process.
Ukraine’s air force also hit five Russian aircraft, shooting down 18 of the 57 drones, and bringing down seven more via radar-jamming equipment, in retaliation during the night of the attack.
Tensions Rise: Diplomatic Developments
The latest drone strikes and missile assaults follow other airstrikes and drone assaults as diplomatic attempts continue to mitigate the clash. Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to peace negotiations with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman said, adding that Russia’s priority is still to achieve its military goals.
On the Ukrainian side, President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that another round of negotiations be considered in an attempt to rekindle stalled talks from last month. Zelensky repeated that he is ready to talk face-to-face with Putin to achieve peace, even if previous ceasefires have failed to produce a permanent result.
International Reactions and US Involvement
The United States has also chimed in, President Joe Biden promising more backing for Ukraine. Biden, in an announcement earlier, vowed to “providing top-of-the-line weapons” to Ukraine via its NATO allies. The United States has been an outspoken backer of Ukraine, giving military aid intended to shore up the country’s defense against Russia.
Former US president Donald Trump also commented on the situation and said that massive tariffs should be placed on Russia if a peace deal was not reached within 50 days. But while he once praised Putin, the US President has changed his tune, expressing disappointment in the Russian leader and saying “I’m not done” on his efforts.
The Ongoing Conflict: What’s Next?
Amid Moscow’s immediate responses to the drone attacks, however, the broader geopolitics remain in flux. Even as peace talks remain a priority to both Russia and Ukraine, the fighting — including airstrikes and drone strikes — is disrupting not only the cities but also the lives of countless individuals.
The battle is in some ways a moving target, with no obvious endpoint. Russian and Ukrainian leaders make statements about their positions, the world watches, wishing for a peaceful outcome, as the human toll rises.
Source: www.bbc.com
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‘Alarms went off everywhere’ — Explosions reported in Moscow, Russia claims 50 Ukrainian drones downed across country
Explosions reported in Moscow overnight on June 26, prompting airport closures. Russia’s Defense Ministry later claimed 50 Ukrainian drones had been downed across the country. Ukraine’s military regularly strikes military targets deep within Russia in an attempt to diminish Moscow’s fighting power as it continues its war against Ukraine. Ukrainian drones have forced at least 217 temporary airport closures across Russia since Jan. 1, independent Russian outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe reported on May 14, citing data from Russia’s state aviation agency Rosaviatsia. The figure already surpassed the combined total for all of 2023 and 2024.
Explosions were reported in Moscow overnight on June 26, prompting airport closures, with Russia’s Defense Ministry claiming 50 Ukrainian drones were downed across the country.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said emergency services were at the sites where two drones were downed.
According to the Shot Telegram channel, which appears to be close to Russian security forces, debris from a downed drone struck a residential building.
“Alarms went off everywhere,” a local resident told the channel.
Ukraine’s military regularly strikes military targets deep within Russia in an attempt to diminish Moscow’s fighting power as it continues its war against Ukraine.
Russia’s Defense Ministry later claimed 50 Ukrainian drones had been downed across the country, two of which were “flying towards Moscow.”
The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify these claims.
Kaluga airport and Moscow’s Vnukovo airport had flight restrictions imposed amid the drone attack, Artyom Korenyako, a spokesperson for Russia’s state aviation agency Rosaviatsia, said early on June 26.
“The airport is temporarily not accepting or sending flights. Aircraft crews, air traffic controllers, and airport services must take all necessary measures to ensure flight safety,” he said.
The restrictions were later lifted.
Ukrainian drones have forced at least 217 temporary airport closures across Russia since Jan. 1, independent Russian outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe reported on May 14, citing data from Russia’s state aviation agency Rosaviatsia.
The figure already surpassed the combined total for all of 2023 and 2024, underscoring Kyiv’s growing ability to put pressure on Russia, even in areas far from the border with Ukraine.
According to Serhii Bratchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Defense Army’s Southern Division, the surge in disruptions reflects a strategic shift in Ukraine’s drone campaign.
“Moscow is the biggest aviation hub in the Russian Federation — flights go everywhere, not only across Russia, but worldwide,” he told the Kyiv Independent last month.
“This is about the potential disintegration of Russian regions and the weakening of internal control.”
Ukraine has also had remarkable success using first person view (FPV) drones — on June 1, Ukraine launched a game-changing drone attack on four key Russian military airfields, damaging 41 planes, including heavy bombers and rare A-50 spy planes.
Kyiv claimed it disabled 34% of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet in what is seen as one of the most daring operations during Russia’s full-scale war.