Russian authorities said on Sunday that air defense systems intercepted at least 25 Ukrainian drones heading toward Moscow, a city that is rarely targeted, causing significant disruptions to air traffic at several of the Russian capital’s airports, according to AFP.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight and throughout Sunday, with the tally reaching at least 25 by midday. He reported no casualties as a result of the interceptions.
Air traffic, however, was disrupted at three of Moscow’s four major airports — Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky — where temporary restrictions were imposed on arrivals and departures. Dozens of flights were delayed or canceled, according to information published on the airports’ official websites.
“The restrictions are necessary to ensure flight safety,” said Artyom Korenyako, a representative of Russia’s federal air transport agency Rosaviatsia, in a statement posted on Telegram.
Earlier in December, Russia reported repelling a massive Ukrainian drone attack involving more than 300 drones, around 40 of which were heading toward Moscow, leading to major delays and cancellations across all four of the capital’s airports.
Ukraine has been subjected to near-daily Russian bombardments across its territory since Moscow launched its full-scale offensive in February 2022. Ukrainian airports have remained closed for almost four years as a result of the conflict.
Kyiv, for its part, regularly carries out drone strikes against Russian territory, saying it targets military objectives and infrastructure.
In a separate incident, one person was killed and two others wounded in a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s border region of Belgorod, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Sunday morning.