Vnukovo Airport Implements Temporary Restrictions as UAV Incidents Emerge Around Moscow
Temporary restrictions were placed on the acceptance and release of aircraft at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport due to technical reasons cited by the airport’s administration. The information, attributed to the international airport press service and the Federal Air Transport Agency, indicates that the restrictions are not related to the airport’s operations or safety measures and are expected to be in effect until 08:00 Moscow time. According to officials, other airports serving Moscow continue to operate normally during this period.
The situation follows a series of reports from emergency services and media outlets regarding unmanned aerial vehicles. Early this morning, two UAVs were reportedly shot down in the area known as New Moscow, and another was observed over the Kaluga region. Witnesses described hearing loud explosions and seeing debris in the vicinity. The authorities later confirmed that a UAV of aircraft-type equipment had crashed on or near a military facility near Kubinka, located to the west of Moscow, a development that drew immediate attention from security and aviation authorities. These events prompted heightened alerts and prompted authorities to reassess flight operations and security protocols across the region. (Source: TASS)
In another development linked to the broader airspace situation, a resident of the Mikhailovo-Yartsevskoye settlement in Moscow’s Troitsky district reported discovering a UAV with a damaged camera within a private area. This incident, noted in early June, underscores ongoing concerns about unmanned aircraft activity in and around the capital and the potential implications for residents, air traffic control, and military facilities in the area. (Source: TASS)
Officials continued to monitor the impact of UAV-related incidents on flight schedules, ensuring that commercial and cargo services could adapt to evolving conditions. While Vnukovo issued a temporary restriction, other Moscow-area airports maintained standard operations, reflecting a differentiated response approach based on the specific risk assessments at each facility. The authorities emphasised that the temporary measures at Vnukovo were precautionary and tied to technical considerations unrelated to the airport’s safety systems, aiming to minimize disruption while preserving safety for passengers and crews. (Source: Federal Air Transport Agency)
Analysts and observers note that the incident sequence around Moscow in the early hours of the morning highlights the broader challenge of monitoring low-altitude airspace in densely populated and heavily trafficked regions. Aviation authorities in Russia have stressed the importance of coordinated actions among airport operators, air traffic controllers, and law enforcement to manage UAV activity without compromising the flow of legitimate air traffic. The public is advised to stay informed through official channels for updates on flight schedules and any further restrictions or advisories that could affect travel plans. (Source: Federal Air Transport Agency)