All four airports around Moscow experienced restrictions, cancellations, and delays. At Sheremetyevo, 21 flights were canceled and 235 delayed. Vnukovo saw 22 flights canceled and 94 delayed. Even planes already en route sometimes had to divert to other Russian airports.
According to Moscow authorities, 548 drones flew towards the Moscow region. Of those, 143 were reportedly intercepted as they approached the capital. The air traffic disruptions continued afterward, leading to further restrictions on Russian civil aviation.
Warning
President Zelensky had warned foreign airlines that a large number of Ukrainian drones would be flying over Russia and that they should take this into account. Ukraine also warned the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that the Russian airspace is not safe for civil aviation due to increased military activity.
Promotion
The warning has now impacted international flights. Air Tanzania temporarily suspended its route to Moscow. Earlier, one of its planes flying from Zanzibar to Vnukovo had to divert to St. Petersburg. Pegasus Airlines also changed its flight schedule and canceled nightly flights to and from Russia.
President Vladimir Putin labeled the Ukrainian warnings about civil aviation as "state terrorism." He warned that Russia could respond and said that such threats complicate the possibility of negotiations. Meanwhile, tensions between Russia and Germany are also rising further over military support to Ukraine.
Germany
According to the Kyiv Independent, production has started in Germany on more than 5,000 medium- and long-range drones for Ukraine. The drones are said to have a range of up to 1,500 kilometers. This reportedly gives Ukraine new capabilities to strike targets at much greater distances.
Separately, the Russian state news agency TASS reported that the Russian embassy in Berlin warned against the planned German long-range weapons. When such systems are aimed at Russia, their locations become legitimate military targets for Russia, according to the embassy. The warning comes as Germany also accuses Russia of attacks and sabotage on German soil.
EU and NATO
Berlin holds Russia responsible for a foiled attack involving explosive drones on Leipzig-Halle Airport, a crucial hub for military aid to Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte state that such Russian intimidation will not reduce support for Ukraine.
Von der Leyen said the events have strengthened her resolve. Rutte also declared that Russia is mistaken if it thinks it can divide Western countries or stop their support for Ukraine. The EU is considering further sanctions, and Ukraine is requesting additional funding for its air defense.