Moscow airports disrupted again as flight restrictions briefly return

For the second night in a row, Moscow’s airport network descended into disruption. Restrictions on takeoffs and landings were introduced at Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo on Wednesday evening, then lifted about half an hour later.

Russia’s aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, said the measures were needed to ensure flight safety. Once the restrictions were canceled, both airports were again allowed to receive and dispatch aircraft.

The brief stoppage still caused widespread disruption. According to Flightradar24 data, Sheremetyevo recorded 21 canceled flights and 235 delays during the initial restrictions. Vnukovo recorded 22 cancellations and 94 delays.

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We are receiving reports that, after we announced the objectively existing drone threat in Russian airspace, the first airlines began canceling flights to Russian airports.

The latest disruption followed Ukrainian warnings about the growing danger to civilian aircraft in Russian airspace. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said airlines had begun canceling flights to Russian airports after Ukraine publicized what he called an objectively existing drone threat.

“That is the correct and completely logical response to the real situation, to everything happening because of the war that Putin refuses to end,” Zelenskyy said in an evening address. “We must protect people’s lives.” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine had formally informed the International Civil Aviation Organization that increased military activity had made Russian airspace dangerous for civil aviation, and urged airlines to avoid it.

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That is the correct and completely logical response to the real situation, to everything happening because of the war that Putin refuses to end. We must protect people’s lives.