Flight restrictions affecting Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports were lifted on Sunday morning, and normal operations resumed across Moscow and the surrounding region. This update comes from the Rosaviatsia news channel via official channel reporting. In the early hours of August 20, civilian aviation traffic was temporarily restricted to ensure safety during the incident window.
Officials confirmed that Moscow airports including Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Sheremetyevo, as well as the Zhukovsky airport in the Moscow region, were functioning normally. The ministry stressed that operations had returned to standard practice and air traffic management resumed as routine.
Late Sunday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced via his Telegram channel that a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle attempted to approach the capital from the south. Air defense forces intercepted the drone, preventing it from entering restricted airspace. This action highlighted the rapid response capabilities of Moscow’s defense and security services.
On August 18, airspace over Moscow and its vicinity was temporarily closed at Vnukovo airport to manage the potential drone activity directed toward the city. The precautionary measure aimed to prevent any risk to arriving and departing flights while authorities assessed the situation.
Earlier, part of a pavilion at Expocentre in central Moscow sustained minor damage following an incident involving a Ukrainian drone. The affected area was reported to be approximately 30 square meters, with authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and the drone’s flight path.
Russia has since advanced its operations to counter unauthorized drone activity by deploying a new drone suppression system designed to improve airspace safety and reduce risk to critical infrastructure and aviation routes.