Russian officials say Moscow’s air defenses intercepted close to 60 drones in the early morning hours of Monday, prompting a temporary shutdown of flights at several airports near the capital.
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced on Telegram that nearly 60 drones headed toward Moscow had been shot down. He did not offer additional details but confirmed that emergency crews were sent to the areas where the drones went down.
The aviation watchdog reported that four airports — Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovskiy, which is located near the capital — all suspended flight operations during the incident. Flights were later allowed to resume at all four locations.
The latest attack comes on the heels of another drone strike last week that targeted Moscow’s only oil refinery. During that earlier offensive, Moscow’s defense systems knocked down nearly 200 drones in what was described as one of the largest aerial attacks on the city since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine back in 2022.
Meanwhile, in the Russia-annexed city of Sevastopol in Crimea, city governor Mikhail Razvozhayev announced on Telegram that all outdoor public events scheduled for Monday were being cancelled and that street lights would remain off. He also urged residents to reduce their electricity consumption.
Crimea, which draws large numbers of Russian tourists, has also suspended fuel sales to the general public and private businesses. Fuel supplies are now being directed exclusively to government agencies responsible for essential services and security, as Ukrainian drone strikes on supply routes and energy infrastructure have triggered a fuel shortage across the region.
