Drone alerts force temporary shutdown of Moscow's four main airports
Written by AI from 8 reports listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
Russian air defence units intercepted drones approaching Moscow, with Rosaviatsiya suspending all arrivals and departures at Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky overnight on October 16, and more than 20 inbound flights diverted.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 94 drones were shot down, while another source said 75 drones were intercepted; flight cancellations exceeded 200 according to several reports, and more than 160 flights were cancelled according to a separate outlet.
The airports reopened after approximately six to seven hours of restrictions, with Domodedovo resuming operations at 5:43 a.m., Vnukovo at 5:06 a.m., and Zhukovsky also at 5:43 a.m.