Moscow Drone Attack Foiled: Russian Air Defenses Intercept 31 Drones Overnight, Airports Affected

Moscow's Skies Secured: Russian Defenses Intercept Barrage of Drones

Moscow, Russia – Russian air defense systems successfully thwarted a significant drone assault targeting the capital region on Wednesday evening and overnight, with a total of 31 unmanned aerial vehicles intercepted. The incident, confirmed by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, led to widespread disruptions in air travel across central Russia.

Overnight Interception and Mayor's Report

Mayor Sobyanin, communicating via his Telegram channel, reported that the majority of the drones were shot down over a period of approximately three and a half hours. An additional drone was also intercepted earlier in the afternoon. Emergency response teams were promptly dispatched to inspect debris scattered on the ground. Crucially, Sobyanin stated that there were no indications of any damage to infrastructure or injuries to civilians resulting from the downed drones.

Widespread Aviation Disruption Across Russia

In response to the aerial threat, Russia's civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, announced the suspension of all flight operations at airports serving the Moscow area. This precautionary measure aimed to ensure the safety of air traffic. Consequently, Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, confirmed via Telegram that it was managing flights that had been diverted from the capital. Furthermore, several other airports situated in central Russia also temporarily halted both arrivals and departures, signaling a coordinated response to the perceived security threat.