Moscow's four airports briefly shut after Ukrainian drone wave, nearly 60 intercepted
All four Moscow airports were closed early Monday after Russian air defenses intercepted nearly 60 Ukrainian drones in 90 minutes, with operations resuming by 05:39 local time.
Drone swarm targets Moscow
In the early hours of Monday, 22 June, Ukrainian drones swarmed toward Moscow, prompting the successive closure of all four major airports. Russian air defenses shot down nearly 60 drones within 90 minutes, according to Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin. He reported swarms flying toward the capital, with about 59 drones destroyed.
Airport closures and disruption
The closures began at 02:39 local time at Sheremetyevo, followed by Zhukovsky, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo. By 05:16, all four airports had halted operations. Authorities lifted all restrictions at 05:39, restoring normal service.
- First airport (Sheremetyevo) closed due to drone threat.
- All four Moscow airports closed.
- All restrictions lifted, airports resume operations.
Escalation in the air war
The attack is part of an intensifying Ukrainian campaign against Russian territory, while Russia continues daily bombardments of Ukraine since the February 2022 invasion. The drone waves mark one of the largest coordinated aerial threats to the Russian capital in recent months.
