Moscow's Airports Disrupted by Wave of Ukrainian Drone Attacks

Moscow's airports faced significant disruption as Ukrainian drones triggered flight cancellations and heightened military tensions, underscoring the backdrop of ongoing hostilities.

Moscow's major airports were once again forced to close temporarily due to a concentrated wave of drone attacks from Ukraine, leading to the cancellation of at least 140 flights. Reports from officials indicated that over 230 Ukrainian drones were intercepted across Russia since Saturday morning, with 27 shot down over the capital. In response, Russia's aviation agency confirmed disruptions across its four main airports, requiring over 130 flights to be redirected before operations resumed hours later.

Meanwhile, airstrikes from Russia on Ukraine resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals overnight, further escalating the violence. The Association of Tour Operators in Russia noted that the capital's airports experienced closures a staggering 10 times in just 24 hours due to these strikes. The Kaluga region, located southwest of Moscow, was also impacted, with Kaluga International Airport temporarily halting operations after 45 drones were intercepted.

Additional reports detailed that drones were shot down not only over the Moscow region but also near the Ukrainian border in Rostov and Bryansk and over the Black Sea without any reported casualties. This latest incident adds to a series of disruptions caused by Ukrainian drone offensives; in May, over 60,000 travelers were stranded as Kyiv launched more than 500 drones in a single day.

Meanwhile, regional officials in Ukraine confirmed casualties from Russian airstrikes, including two fatalities in Donetsk and a 78-year-old woman who perished in Sumy as residential structures were reduced to ruins. Ukraine's air force claimed to have downed 18 out of 57 Russian drones during the conflict's latest escalation, while an additional seven drones were reportedly lost due to radar countermeasures.

The violence persists as Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov articulated President Vladimir Putin's desire for a peaceful resolution with Ukraine, yet emphasized that Moscow's objectives remain a priority. More than three years since the large-scale invasion began, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed new dialogue to rekindle stalled negotiations, highlighting the need for leadership-level meetings to secure lasting peace.

The situation has gained international attention as U.S. President Donald Trump pledged significant military support to Ukraine while placing Russia under threat of tariffs should a resolution fail within a designated timeframe. Peskov acknowledged the direct nature of Trump's comments but reaffirmed Russia's commitment to pursue peace despite the ongoing military engagement.