Airspace closed across much of European Russia amid large-scale drone attack
A large-scale drone attack has effectively created a no-fly zone for civilian aircraft over central and western Russia. All four Moscow airports have completely suspended operations.
Source: Russian media outlet Astra; flight-tracking service Flightradar24
Details: According to Flightradar24, the airspace over most of European Russia remains completely empty. Civilian aircraft are widely avoiding the area.
Temporary restrictions on arrivals and departures have been introduced at Moscow's four airports: Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Sheremetyevo.
Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) said that many aircraft are being diverted to alternative airports in other cities, supposedly to ensure the safety of civil aviation.
Since 23:00, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has reported several times that drones heading towards the Russian capital have been destroyed. According to his figures, Russian air defences have shot down 59 drones.
As usual, the Russian official has not reported any consequences of the attacks. However, local residents have been posting photographs and videos on social media showing large fires.
The attack has also affected other oblasts. Rostov Oblast Governor Yuri Slyusar reported drone attacks on the Aksay and Chertkovo districts and the city of Bataysk.
"Industrial and warehouse buildings were damaged when UAVs came down. A fire has broken out," Slyusar said.
In Yaroslavl Oblast, the local authorities issued a red-level alert due to attack drones. The press service for Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations in Yaroslavl Oblast reported an emergency suspension of traffic on the road leading out of Yaroslavl towards Moscow.
In addition, Russian Telegram channels and local residents have reported a series of explosions and intense air defence response in Smolensk and Ryazan.
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