Chaos at Moscow Airports as Ukraine Launches Drone Attacks

Kokcha News Agency: The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has escalated with both sides launching drone and missile attacks. Ukraine’s drone strikes on Moscow have disrupted air travel in the Russian capital, causing chaos at several airports, while Russia’s retaliatory strikes on Ukraine have resulted in casualties and widespread damage.

Chaos at Moscow Airports

Ukraine’s drone attacks led to flight cancellations and delays at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovskiy airports. According to Russian media, thousands of passengers were stranded, with some seen sleeping on the floors of the airports.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 117 drones were shot down overnight, with 30 of them intercepted over the Moscow region. This follows an earlier announcement that 172 drones launched by Ukraine had been neutralized, with 30 also downed over Moscow.

The Russian Civil Aviation Authority (Rosaviatsiya) imposed temporary flight restrictions at the affected airports, leaving many passengers stranded in Russia’s Far Eastern Federal District. Additional train services were arranged to transport passengers from St. Petersburg back to Moscow.

Russia’s Retaliatory Strikes on Ukraine

In response, Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine overnight. According to Ukrainian officials, at least one person was killed in Kyiv, and multiple fires broke out across the capital.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 426 drones and 24 missiles during the attack. Ukrainian defenses successfully intercepted 224 drones and missiles, while 230 drones were neutralized using electronic warfare methods.

Damage and Casualties in Kyiv

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that rescue and medical teams were working at attack sites across four districts of the capital. City officials reported damage to a metro station, commercial properties, stores, homes, and a kindergarten.

Residents of Kyiv once again sought shelter in underground metro stations as explosions were heard across the city. In Kharkiv, Regional Governor Oleh Synehubov reported multiple explosions, though details on casualties or damage were not immediately available.