Temporary restrictions imposed on airports in Russia for safety reasons

Russia's Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya) has announced temporary restrictions on airport operations in Kazan, Nizhnekamsk, and Ulyanovsk to ensure the safety of civil aviation.

The restrictions, effective on January 11, apply to the reception and departure of aircraft at three airports: Kazan (ICAO code: UWKD), Nizhnekamsk (Begishevo; ICAO code: UWKE), and Ulyanovsk (Barataevka; ICAO code: UWLL), Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

Rosaviatsia confirmed that the affected airports are currently unable to accept or dispatch flights as a result of these safety measures.

The temporary restrictions are expected to remain in place until further notice, with the agency prioritizing flight safety.

Earlier, Kazan Airport was also temporarily closed due to "restrictions on civil aircraft flights." Reports indicate that a "Carpet Plan" was activated at the airport, a protocol triggered in response to threats against aircraft or potential breaches of Russia’s borders.

On the night of January 5, Russia's Ministry of Defence reported a large-scale drone attack. Moscow claimed to have destroyed 61 drones across five regions: 37 in Rostov, 20 in Bryansk, two in Voronezh, and one each in Belgorod and Oryol.

Additionally, drones reportedly targeted the cities of Taganrog and Millerovo in Russia's Rostov region, with one strike hitting an airfield. The governor of Belgorod region also reported that drones attacked three towns, dropping explosives.

By Vafa Guliyeva