Moscow closes all international airports amid wave of Ukrainian drone attacks

All four international airports in the Russian capital were temporarily closed on Sunday after air defence systems shot down 11 Ukrainian drones approaching the city within an hour.

Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, said air traffic restrictions were imposed at Domodedovo international airport, Vnukovo international airport, Zhukovsky international airport and Sheremetyevo international airport due to safety concerns. The suspension was effective Sunday afternoon until further notice, reported PTI.





Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on social media that air defences had intercepted another unmanned aerial vehicle heading towards the capital.

“Air defences have intercepted another UAV flying towards Moscow,” Sobyanin said. “Thus, the total number of downed drones has reached 11,” he added in a post at 4 pm local time.

Earlier, Ukraine reported a barrage of drone and missiles attacks from Russia at Kyiv in an overnight strike, in which at least 1 person was killed and several others injured.

According to Ukraine’s air force, the overnight assault involved 297 drones and 50 missiles of various types. It said 274 drones and 33 missiles were shot down or otherwise neutralised. Of the remaining projectiles, 14 missiles and 23 drones hit 14 locations, while three missiles were unaccounted for.

As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine marks its fourth year, Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv of launching drone attacks on its territory, including the capital. Russia has also continued its own strikes on Ukraine using missiles and drones.