Ukraine Drones Force Russia To Close Moscow Airports, Shut Mobile Internet

Ukrainian drone attacks forced the Kremlin to shut down Moscow's airports, cancelling hundreds of flights and stranding thousands of passengers. This is the second time in a month this has happened. 

In addition, mobile internet service in at least three Russian provinces was turned off in an attempt to deny GPS signals to Ukrainian drones. These drone attacks are part of a Ukrainian strategy to make the Russian people in the country's most powerful and wealthiest region feel the impact of the war. JL

Isabel Van Brugen reports in Newsweek:

Flights at Moscow's Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Sheremetyevo airports are severely disrupted, with hundreds of flights cancelled leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The airports have been operating intermittently since midday on Wednesday due to ongoing drone attacks. Russia was also forced to shut down internet access in the Oryol, Tula and Vladimir regions and restrict airspace after a large-scale Ukrainian drone assault overnight.

Russia was forced to shut down internet access in parts of the Oryol region and restrict airspace after a large-scale Ukrainian drone assault overnight on Thursday.

Flights at Moscow's Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Sheremetyevo airports are severely disrupted, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. The airports have been operating intermittently since midday on Wednesday due to ongoing drone attacks, The Moscow Times reported.

Newsweek has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment by email.

Why It Matters

Ukraine has launched drones to attack several Russian regions for three days in a row. Thursday's attack was the largest since March, according to Russian government statements. The major disruptions highlight the severity of the attacks and come as President Donald Trump attempts to initiate peace talks aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.

 

What To Know

On Wednesday night, Ukraine's military launched what has been described as the largest drone assault on Russian territory since March.

Russia's Defense Ministry said at least 182 drones were intercepted across 11 regions, and Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said several dozen drones were shot down as they approached the city.

A total of 485 drones have been brought down by air defenses across Russia and in the occupied territories over the past 72 hours, according to a Russian defense ministry statement on Thursday.

In the Oryol region, mobile internet was temporarily shut down. Regional governor Andrei Klychkov said the order came from the Russian army,

 

"The decision is not easy, but it is necessary," the governor said on his Telegram channel as he asked for "understanding."

 

On Wednesday, internet was also shut down in the Tula and Vladimir regions due to drone attacks.

"Friends, this is not the first time we have encountered restrictions on mobile Internet. Today, the situation has repeated itself...Safety is most important. I ask you to treat such measures with understanding," Tula region governor Dmitry Milyaev wrote on his Telegram channel.

"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank citizens for their understanding. We remind you that protecting the lives and health of the population remains our top priority," the Vladimir regional government said.

 

Military expert and retired Russian colonel Anatoly Matviych told local publication Lenta that disabling mobile internet during drone attacks means that drones "lose the ability to position themselves and strike residential buildings and infrastructure" and as a result "they simply get lost."

What People Are Saying

Andrei Klychkov, governor of Oryol region, said on Telegram, announcing an internet shut down: "The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have made a decision to introduce temporary restrictions on the operation of mobile internet and the provision of communication services in the region.

"This is not an easy decision, but it is necessary. Please treat it with understanding - ensuring the safety of residents, businesses and infrastructure is most important."