All four major airports in Moscow, Russia’s capital city, were temporarily closed on Thursday and Friday morning following a massive overnight drone attack that led to the cancellation of over 400 flights.
The incident occurred shortly after President William Ruto and other African leaders attended the Russia-Africa summit hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Reports by several Russian news outlets indicated that the airports remained under restrictions for nearly nine hours before the Russian government began lifting the measures on Friday morning.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency lifted restrictions at Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky airports at around 8am, while Vnukovo and Domodedovo continued operating under special clearance.
Vehicles parked inside Russia’s Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow city.
Photo
Business Insider
Sheremetyevo recorded the highest number of cancellations at 170, followed by Vnukovo with 48, Domodedovo with four, and Zhukovsky with one, while Vnukovo also recorded 111 flight delays.
The restrictions forced some planes heading to Moscow to divert to alternative airports, with St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport reportedly receiving 27 flights as passengers faced lengthy waits.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed that 862 drones had been launched towards the Moscow region between Thursday evening and Friday morning, with Russian air defences intercepting many before they reached the capital.
President Ruto travelled to Russia on Tuesday, October 27, accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and other senior government officials.
Ruto attended the Third Russia-Africa Summit, held in Moscow from October 28 to 29, where African leaders and Russian officials discussed trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Delegations from 48 of Africa’s 54 countries attended the summit, with 22 represented by their heads of state, as Ruto sought to strengthen Kenya-Russia economic ties.
The airport disruption came amid Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine, during which Ukrainian forces have repeatedly launched drone attacks against Russian infrastructure.
However, despite the persistent drone attacks, by Friday noon, there was no immediate indication that the latest attack targeted or interfered with the visiting African leaders.
President William Ruto (right) conversing with Russian Counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Third Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
PCS
