World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Moscow airports halt flights amid drone threat
On October 23, a drone threat led Moscow airports to halt flights.
The four airports named were Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 17 drones had been destroyed on their approach to the capital, and emergency teams were working where debris fell.
At Sheremetyevo, passengers were moved to safe areas, including from aircraft, while an air-raid alert remained in effect.
The flight restrictions caused delays and cancellations, and some planes were sent to other airports.
Pulkovo in St Petersburg was expected to receive diverted flights, while some routes between St Petersburg and Moscow were also disrupted.
Passengers were advised to check their flight status with their airline as schedules could change.
Moscow’s four airports stopped accepting and sending flights amid a reported drone attack on the capital on October 23, 2026.
Passengers at Sheremetyevo were evacuated to safe areas, including from aircraft, as an air-raid alert remained in effect.
Moscow-bound flights were delayed, cancelled or diverted, with some redirected to Pulkovo in St Petersburg.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 17 drones had been destroyed on the approach to the capital.
- Who
- Moscow airport passengers and airlines were affected. Moscow airport authorities and airline operators managed the response.
- What
- Four Moscow airports halted arrivals and departures amid a reported drone attack. Flights were delayed, cancelled or diverted.
- When
- October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Moscow’s Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky airports; some diverted flights were expected at Pulkovo in St Petersburg.
- Why
- The airports imposed restrictions amid a reported drone attack on Moscow.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Reports of drones being destroyed began appearing in channels belonging to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky stopped accepting and sending aircraft.
Sheremetyevo said it had completed moving passengers, including those on aircraft, to safe areas.
- Airports affected
- Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky
- Drones reported destroyed
- 17
- Passenger evacuation
- Sheremetyevo passengers were moved to safe areas, including from aircraft
- Diversion airport
- Pulkovo, St Petersburg
- Date
- October 23, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
Passengers are in safe shelters.
Flights will be operated after the restrictions are lifted.