Moscow airports in chaos after multiple reports of drone attacks
Flight restrictions were imposed at Moscow’s Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports on Aug. 10, amid reports of yet another drone attack.
The restrictions were implemented due to “reasons independent of the airport,” according to the Russian state-controlled news agency RIA Novosti, citing Vnukovo air port’s press service.
Read also: Moscow under attack again – video
Domodedovo air port officials stated that this was done “to ensure additional flight safety measures.”
Dozens of flights were delayed or rerouted as a result.
Emerging reports on Telegram channels indicate that the airports activated “Plan Cover,” a protocol designed to address potential threats posed by unidentified aircraft or objects in the sky.
Read also: Government building damaged, Vnukovo airport suspends traffic in 2nd Moscow drone attack
On social media, local residents reported explosions and “bangs,” while a passenger on a plane on the ground at one Moscow airport posted about the chaos in the skies above Moscow.
“I’m on a plane at Vnukovo. The sky is closed,” the passenger wrote on Telegram
“We haven’t been able take off since 1:30 a.m. Planes are not landing, they are circling over Ryazan. Those with low fuel are being redirected to Sheremetyevo. The conclusion: drones are flying.” wrote one passenger on Telegram.
One eyewitness apparently say one of the drones being shot down.
“I saw (a drone) explode,” wrote the Moscow resident on social media.
Read also: Russia claims drone attempted to attack Moscow, flights at Vnukovo airport suspended
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said that around 4 a.m., air defense systems successfully neutralized two combat drones flying towards the city. It is believed that one drone was sighted in Kaluga Oblast, while the other was seen in the vicinity of the Moscow Central Administrative District.
Reports on Aug. 9 claimed that an attempt to attack Moscow was made using drones, with one drone allegedly downed near Domodedovo, south of the Russian capital. Residents reported explosions.
The drone attack is the latest in a spate of such attacks against the Russian capital and other parts of Russian in recent months.
Earlier, Russian authorities announced on Aug. 6 that a drone attempted to breach Moscow’s airspace, leading to the delay of dozens of flights at Vnukovo airport.
Moscow also faced an attack by unidentified drones on July 30. Damage was sustained, notably at the IQ Tower, which houses several offices of Russian ministries.
Read also: Ukraine probes Russia's air defenses ahead of next move – report
During the night of Aug. 1, Moscow was once again targeted by drones. According to Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, one of the drones hit the same skyscraper that had been targeted two days prior.
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