Ukrainian Drones Disrupt Moscow Air Traffic, Grounding Flights

Russian government aircraft were forced to circle Moscow on Friday as Ukrainian drone attacks prompted a halt in flights at all four of the capital's airports. The disruption lasted for approximately six to seven hours, beginning around 3:40 p.m. local time.

Flight tracking data indicated that four planes belonging to the presidential Special Flight Squadron were affected while en route back from Turkmenistan, where Russian President Vladimir Putin had attended a summit. While all four planes have since landed, it remains unclear if Putin was aboard any of them.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that 15 Ukrainian drones were shot down during the aerial assault on the city. Residents described hearing explosions prior to the flight suspensions at Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports.

More than 370 flights across Moscow's airports experienced delays due to the drone threat, with an additional 62 flights being canceled, according to Baza, a pro-Kremlin Telegram channel. Footage shared on social media depicted passengers facing long queues and sitting on the floor in departure lounges.

Authorities in the Yaroslavl region, northeast of Moscow, also reported the downing of small reconnaissance balloons, with operations to neutralize them continuing, according to the Moscow Times.

President Putin had been in Avaza, Turkmenistan, for a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit, where he met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. This incident is part of a broader trend of increased flight disruptions at Russian airports throughout the year, attributed to stepped-up Ukrainian drone attacks. Aviation regulator Rosaviatsia estimates a 20 percent rise in significant flight delays this year, affecting commercial, charter, light, cargo, and military aviation.