All Moscow airports suspend arrivals and departures over flight safety

All four airports serving Moscow suspended aircraft arrivals and departures on Friday as authorities moved to ensure the safety of passengers and flight crews, Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsiya, said.

Temporary restrictions were imposed at Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Sheremetyevo airports, according to the agency.

Rosaviatsiya said the restrictions were introduced solely for flight safety reasons, without providing further details on their expected duration.

The restrictions came after Russia’s Defence Ministry reported a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack. The ministry said air defence forces had intercepted and destroyed 553 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over 19 Russian regions and the waters of the Black and Azov seas.

By Tamilla Hasanova