Two Turkey-to-Russia charter flights diverted to Minsk, passengers later depart

Two charter flights from Turkey to Russia were diverted to Minsk on October 18.

More than 400 passengers were on board, according to Russia’s embassy in Belarus.

The embassy said the diversion followed attacks by Ukrainian forces on infrastructure at Russian airports.

Russian diplomats and Belarusian partners provided passengers with hot meals and assistance at Minsk National Airport.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the passengers later departed for home.

The diversion affected people returning from Turkey, and the available information does not say how they continued their journeys.