Ukrainian drone assaults have led to significant disruption at Moscow airports, with over 140 flights cancelled and the Russian defense ministry reporting the downing of more than 230 drones. As tensions escalate, both sides reflect on the potential for renewed negotiations.
Moscow Airports Disrupted by Recent Wave of Ukrainian Drone Attacks
Moscow Airports Disrupted by Recent Wave of Ukrainian Drone Attacks
Major vulnerabilities in Moscow's air travel system exposed as drone assaults force temporary airport closures and flight cancellations.
Moscow's major airports experienced considerable disruptions due to sustained Ukrainian drone attacks over the weekend. Authorities reported the closure of the four main airports serving the Russian capital, leading to at least 140 flight cancellations and redirection of an additional 130 flights. The Russian defense ministry claimed that more than 230 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted since Saturday morning, with 27 reportedly shot down in the Moscow area.
Operations at the airports have since resumed, but the repeated closures, with reports of 10 disruptions in just 24 hours, have highlighted the ongoing air conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Concurrently, three individuals were killed in Russia’s air strikes on Ukraine during overnight attacks, according to local officials.
The Kaluga region, situated southwest of Moscow, was also impacted, with Kaluga International Airport temporarily shut down after the defense ministry reported they had intercepted 45 drones. Additionally, drone activity was noted near regions bordering Ukraine, including Rostov and Bryansk, as well as over the Black Sea. Fortunately, no casualties were reported from these incidents.
This is not the first instance of Ukrainian drone operations causing travel disruptions within Russian territory; similar attacks in May stranded approximately 60,000 passengers across various airports as Ukraine launched over 500 drones within a single day.
As the attacks unfolded, regional officials in Ukraine confirmed that two casualties occurred in separate Russian air strikes in the Donetsk region, while a 78-year-old woman died when residential buildings were set ablaze in Sumy. Ukraine’s air force reported success in intercepting 18 of the 57 Russian drones launched against them overnight.
Amid the escalating conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that President Vladimir Putin remains open to pursuing a peace settlement with Ukraine, emphasizing that achieving this goal requires significant effort over time. Conversely, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested a new series of talks to reignite negotiations that had stalled recently. He reiterated his willingness to meet Putin for high-level discussions aimed at attaining a lasting peace.
Adding to the intrigue, U.S. President Donald Trump recently vowed to supply high-quality weapons to Ukraine, while simultaneously threatening tariffs against Russia if a peace deal is not achieved within a strict deadline. Peskov acknowledged Trump's direct rhetoric while reaffirming Russia's commitment to seeking peaceful resolutions with Ukraine.
As both countries grapple with the ongoing violence, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can end the conflict that has now spanned over three years.
