Moscow, Russia — Air traffic in the Russian capital was thrown into disarray on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, after authorities temporarily closed all four major Moscow airports — Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky and Sheremetyevo — citing heightened security concerns following a wave of drone activity over the city.
The closures came as Russian air defence forces intercepted and shot down at least 11 Ukrainian drones approaching Moscow within a short period, according to statements from the city’s mayor and the federal aviation regulator, Rosaviatsia. Rosaviatsia said the move to ground all flights was a precautionary measure to safeguard civil aviation amid the unusual breach of airspace by unmanned aerial vehicles — the latest in a series of such incidents linked to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Passengers at the affected airports experienced flight cancellations, diversions and lengthy delays as authorities restricted departures and arrivals while the threat was assessed. Local officials also reported enhanced anti-drone operations and heightened alerts across the broader Moscow region.
By Sunday evening, flight operations began to resume gradually, with air traffic controllers working with airlines to manage backlog and coordinate safe take-offs and landings as security conditions permitted. Still, travellers were urged to check with carriers for updated schedules and prepare for possible further disruptions, news as reported.
