Moscow airports shut after 11 drones intercepted, disrupting civilian air travel

All four international airports serving the Russian capital were temporarily closed on Sunday after air defence systems shot down multiple Ukrainian drones approaching Moscow, highlighting growing risks to civilian air travel as the war enters its fourth year .

Russia’s civil aviation authority , Rosaviatsia , said flight operations were suspended at Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky, and Sheremetyevo airports due to safety concerns . The restrictions were imposed in the afternoon and remained in effect until further notice , disrupting departures and arrivals at one of Europe’s busiest air hubs .

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said air defence units intercepted 11 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) within an hour as they flew toward the city. “Air defences have intercepted another UAV flying towards Moscow. Thus, the total number of downed drones has reached 11 ,” he wrote on social media .

The incident underscores the increasing use of drones in modern warfare and their expanding reach into major urban centres. While authorities reported no immediate casualties, repeated drone interceptions raise concerns about the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure, including airports, power facilities, and transport networks.

Aviation experts noted that even brief airspace closures can cause cascading disruptions to passenger schedules, cargo operations, and economic activity . Airlines were forced to divert or delay flights , stranding travellers and complicating logistics across the region.

Russia has accused Ukraine of regularly launching drone attacks on its territory, including Moscow and surrounding regions . Kyiv has not commented on the latest incident. Meanwhile, Russia continues to conduct missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities.

As the conflict drags on, analysts warn of an escalation in aerial attacks and countermeasures , with major cities increasingly relying on layered air defence systems . The growing frequency of such incidents highlights the dual challenge of maintaining security while protecting civilian transportation and economic stability amid prolonged hostilities .