Ukrainian drones force Moscow airport closures; over 300 flights affected
Dec 29, 2025
Moscow [Russia], December 29: Ukraine has temporarily paralysed air traffic in the Russian capital with drone attacks on Moscow, shutting down hundreds of flights hours before the start of nationwide holidays, Russian authorities said.
At the Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports, no take-offs or landings were possible for hours, according to a spokesperson for the aviation authority. The Russian state news agency Ria Novosti reported overnight that more than 300 flights had to be cancelled or were delayed, with around 70 aircraft diverted to alternative airports.
Moscow's two other airports, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky, were not affected. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin had previously reported the interception of an unusually large number of Ukrainian drones - around 30 of them. The Russian Ministry of Defence reported a total of 273 drones shot down in the country. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
