Air traffic at two of Moscow’s main airports was temporarily suspended after Russian authorities reported a series of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks over the capital.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that city air-defence systems intercepted and downed several UAVs, and that emergency crews were dispatched to secure the locations where the drones fell. He said teams were working to assess the situation and prevent further risks to residents.

The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency announced that operations at Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports were paused as a precautionary measure. Some reports indicated that additional airports also experienced short-term disruptions before services gradually resumed once the airspace was deemed safe.

Authorities issued differing accounts regarding the number of drones involved, reflecting the initial uncertainty surrounding the incident. Aviation officials emphasized that suspending flights was necessary to safeguard passengers, staff and airport infrastructure from potential secondary threats.

Several flights were diverted or delayed, and airport operators coordinated with airlines to assist passengers affected by the disruption. Terminal services continued functioning, with support teams helping travellers manage schedule changes.

Local emergency services reported no widespread casualties linked directly to the drone activity, though assessments of property damage and possible injuries at impact sites remained ongoing.

The incident renewed concerns about the vulnerability of civilian aviation to drone-related threats and highlighted the growing impact of small aerial systems on critical infrastructure.

Security agencies said investigations were underway to identify the source of the UAVs and determine their intended targets, stressing that ensuring the safety of Moscow’s airspace remains a top priority. (ILKHA)