On the evening of November 12, Moscow was subjected to a massive drone attack, which online sources are calling record-breaking in terms of the number of devices. As a result, operations at all four main Moscow airports—Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky—were simultaneously restricted, causing delays to dozens of flights. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the Russian media outlet MSK1.RU.
Course of the Attack and Statements on Air Defense
According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, air defense forces shot down 46 drones heading toward the city in less than an hour. Later, the total number of allegedly destroyed drones rose to 51. Amid the raid, a drone threat regime was declared in the Moscow region.
What Is Happening at the Airports
Vnukovo Airport was the first to switch to a special operating mode, after which similar restrictions were introduced at the others. According to online departure boards, the most difficult situation has developed at Vnukovo: about a dozen flights are delayed for arrival, and the board shows a solid line of delays. Sheremetyevo is reporting delays of about two dozen planes, mostly arrivals, although most flights are operating on schedule. Domodedovo is seeing isolated delays, while Zhukovsky reportedly has no schedule issues.
Repetition of the Scenario
Such disruptions in Russian aviation due to drone raids are not being recorded for the first time. On the evening of November 2, a drone attack also paralyzed all four Moscow airports, two of which were completely closed for arrivals and departures; back then, air defense reportedly shot down 46 UAVs in a few hours. On October 29, due to a record drone attack in Russia, more than 460 flights were delayed or canceled, the consequences of which were simultaneously felt by the airports of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Thus, the raid on November 12 became another episode in a repeating scenario where the massive use of drones leads to the temporary shutdown of the capital's aviation infrastructure and mass passenger delays.
