More Than 300 Flights Canceled And Delayed In Moscow Due To Ukrainian Drone Attack

• 28.12.2025, 13:52

Airports are paralyzed.

The attack of Ukrainian drones on Moscow, which began in the evening of December 27, paralyzed the work of several capital's airports. In total, about 290 flights were delayed at Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo, writes RBC with reference to the online scoreboard. More than 80 more went to alternate airfields. Sheremetyevo's press service said 34 flights were canceled, 32 were delayed and 49 planes were diverted to other air harbors between 17:00 and 23:45 Saturday. At Vnukovo, 33 flights were canceled around the same period, with about 32 planes diverted to alternate airfields.

The restrictions due to the "Cover" plan were in effect at Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo until midnight. The waiting rooms were overcrowded, eyewitnesses said. Against this background, the airlines Aeroflot, Pobeda, Rossiya and Nordwind announced schedule adjustments. In the morning of December 28, Aeroflot reported that this work continues, in connection with which "some flights departure times may be postponed." The company specified that not all airplanes, sent to alternate airfields the day before, returned to Moscow. During the waiting time passengers were provided with "service in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations". The departure of the remaining flights from the alternate airfields to Moscow is expected before 14:00. In general, Aeroflot plans to return to normal operation during the day on December 28.

Vonukovo said that employees of the airport and airlines "are taking all measures to return to the usual flight schedule and regular work." It added that during the restrictions, passengers were given free drinking water and mattresses.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported 26 downed drones on the approach to the Russian capital. Restrictions on airport operations the day before were also imposed in Samara, Kaluga, Saratov, Yaroslavl, Ulyanovsk and Penza.