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Rosaviatsia said Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky suspended arrivals and departures on October 23. Sheremetyevo declared an air raid alert and directed passengers to safe zones, while Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said at least 11 drones had been shot down approaching the capital. The airports’ reopening times and the full impact on flights were not reported.
All four Moscow airports suspended arrivals and departures on October 23, Russia’s federal aviation agency Rosaviatsia said, as the capital faced reported drone activity. Sheremetyevo declared an air raid alert and told passengers to go to nearby safe zones and shelters, while Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said at least 11 drones had been shot down as they approached Moscow.
The closures affected Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky, leaving flights unable to arrive or depart while the restrictions were in effect. The source report did not give a reopening time or specify how many flights were delayed or cancelled.
Sheremetyevo told passengers to proceed to the nearest safe zones and shelters after declaring an air raid alert. Domodedovo said temporary restrictions meant that “flight schedules are being adjusted.” Vnukovo reported its closure and said the measures were due to “security considerations.”
Vnukovo also warned passengers to be prepared for a lengthy wait, including while on board aircraft. The airports’ statements described operational restrictions, but did not provide a complete account of aircraft or passenger movements. The available report gave no separate operational notice from Zhukovsky.
Flight Disruption Across Moscow
Simultaneous restrictions at all four airports serving Moscow can disrupt travel across the capital, affecting passengers, airline schedules and onward connections. The advisory that passengers could face long waits aboard aircraft indicates that delays may extend beyond terminal areas, though the scale of disruption was not yet available.
The safety instructions at Sheremetyevo mark a more immediate concern than routine schedule changes: passengers were directed to shelters during an alert. The notices do not establish that any airport or aircraft was struck, and the report does not describe damage or injuries.
For travelers, the operational picture can change quickly as restrictions are imposed or lifted. The report provides no confirmed timetable for resuming flights, so passengers may need to check directly with their airline and airport for current instructions.
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The airport suspensions follow a pattern of repeated shutdowns in Moscow over the preceding two months. Meduza reported that the airports had closed repeatedly amid the threat of Ukrainian drone attacks, with dozens of flights delayed and some disruptions leading to disorder at airports. The report did not provide a full count of previous closures or a total number of affected passengers.
In the current incident, Sobyanin said at least 11 drones were shot down approaching the capital. That is an attributed statement by the mayor; the source material did not independently verify the drone count or provide details about where the drones were intercepted.
On September 1, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned airlines that Russian skies were “becoming unsafe,” and said Russian airspace would “de facto be closing” because of Ukrainian drone attacks. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Zelensky’s statement “a declaration of terrorism” and said Russia would find a way to respond if such tragedies occurred. Those earlier remarks provide context for the aviation risks and political dispute, but do not establish responsibility for the drone activity reported on October 23.
“All four of Moscow’s airports — Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky — closed to arrivals and departures.”
— Rosaviatsia, Russia’s federal aviation agency
Reopening Times Remain Unknown
The source report did not say when the airports would reopen, how long the restrictions would last, or how many flights and passengers were affected. It also did not report whether all passengers at Sheremetyevo were evacuated from public areas, how many people used shelters, or whether flights already airborne were diverted.
The mayor’s statement about drones is attributed to him; the report provides no independent verification of the number or details of interceptions. It does not identify the drones’ origin or establish responsibility for this specific incident. No injuries, damage or direct threat to aircraft were reported in the source material.
Airlines Await Updated Restrictions
Passengers should monitor airline and airport announcements for changes to departure times, cancellations, shelter instructions and the resumption of operations. The source material gave no confirmed schedule for lifting the restrictions, so the next key development is an official update from Rosaviatsia or the affected airports.
Further information may clarify the duration of the closures, the number of disrupted flights and whether passengers at Sheremetyevo can return to terminals or boarding areas. Until those details are reported, the extent and length of the disruption remain uncertain.
Key Questions
Which Moscow airports were closed?
Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky suspended arrivals and departures, according to Rosaviatsia.
Why were the airports shut?
The closures came amid reported drone activity near Moscow. Sobyanin said at least 11 drones had been shot down approaching the capital. Vnukovo cited security considerations, but the report did not provide a detailed official explanation for each airport’s decision.
Were passengers told to evacuate?
Sheremetyevo declared an air raid alert and told passengers to go to the nearest safe zones and shelters. The report did not say whether passengers at the other airports received the same instruction or describe the number of people moved.
When will flights resume?
No reopening time was reported. Travelers should check directly with their airline and airport for the latest status, as schedules may change while restrictions remain in place.
Source: rss
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