As hostilities between Ukraine and Russia escalate further, several Moscow airports were temporarily closed down after what Russian authorities described as a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack early Tuesday morning. According to Russian military reports, several unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted over Moscow region by defense personnel prompting emergency response measures as well as disrupting commercial air traffic.
Russian officials reported that air defense systems were activated throughout Moscow as at least five drones were observed approaching critical infrastructure, though no casualties or significant damage was reported. To remain on the safe side, authorities grounded flights and diverted inbound aircraft as a preventative measure.
“Ukrainian regime attempts a terrorist drone attack against facilities in Moscow region,” according to Ministry of Defense statement. All unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were neutralized by our air defense systems; out of safety precaution, several airports have been temporarily closed as precaution.
Russia’s main international hub, Sheremetyevo Airport, as well as Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports suspended take-offs and landings for over two hours, leaving passengers experiencing delays with some flights being rerouted outside Moscow. Civil aviation authorities confirmed normal operations had resumed by midmorning but continued disruptions throughout the day.
Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for this attack, adhering to their policy of strategic ambiguity with regard to operations on Russian territory. However, recent drone strikes targeting infrastructure such as oil depots or residential properties deep inside Russian borders has left no one unaffected.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly indicated that such actions are part of an initiative to bring the war closer to Russian territory and reduce Moscow’s ability to sustain military operations. While Kyiv emphasizes its defensive nature of their campaign, they also warn Russia cannot remain unscathed while their forces occupy Ukrainian soil.
Drone strikes marked a turning point in Ukraine’s 27-month conflict, signaling an advance in long-range unmanned warfare capabilities despite limited military resources. Western analysts interpreted these attacks as symbolic acts, challenging Russia’s claim of sovereignty within its own borders.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has denounced the strikes as acts of terrorism and upheld its justifications for continuing military operations in Ukraine. “These attacks only confirm our special military operation,” Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson of the Kremlin said.
As the conflict drags on without an apparent diplomatic solution, both sides appear to be intensifying efforts to gain leverage–both militarily and psychologically–on both battlefields and off.