started · updated
Moscow airports closed during drone attack as Putin's aircraft return
A drone attack involving Ukrainian drones and small balloons forced the closure of four major Moscow airports, including Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo, on a Friday afternoon. The disruption occurred as several Russian government aircraft, including those from the Rossiya Special Flight Squadron, were returning to the capital following a summit in Turkmenistan attended by Vladimir Putin.
FlightRadar24 data indicated that multiple government planes were forced to circle the Moscow airspace for an extended period. At least one aircraft, identified by registration number RA-96025, was diverted to Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg before eventually landing in Moscow. While it remains unclear which specific aircraft the Russian President was traveling on, reports suggest he may have been aboard one of the diverted or circling planes.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that 15 drones were shot down during the incident. The attack caused significant delays for both government and civilian aviation, with several aircraft forced into unusual flight patterns to avoid the restricted airspace.
Entities
Moscow · Rossiya Special Flight Squadron · Sergey Sobyanin · St. Petersburg · Turkmenistan · Ukraine · Vladimir Putin
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Vladimir Putin attended summits in Turkmenistan and met with leaders from Turkmenistan and Iran. www.gbnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ukrainian drones and small balloons caused a drone attack on Moscow. www.aftonbladet.se · www.gbnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Four major Moscow airports, including Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo, were closed due to the drone threat. www.gbnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Tass news agency reported that Vladimir Putin boarded his return flight from Turkmenistan. www.aftonbladet.se · notiziedi.it · www.gbnews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] FlightRadar24 data showed Russian government aircraft circling Moscow due to airport closures. notiziedi.it · www.bigodino.it · www.gbnews.com · www.cagliarilivemagazine.it · www.aftonbladet.se
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that 15 drones were shot down. www.aftonbladet.se
- [● 3 SOURCES] Aircraft with registration number RA-96025 was diverted to Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg. www.aftonbladet.se · www.bigodino.it · www.cagliarilivemagazine.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] At least one aircraft from the Russian presidential fleet was diverted to St. Petersburg. notiziedi.it · www.bigodino.it · www.gbnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] EADaily reported that the aircraft was unable to land in Moscow because of the drone threat. www.gbnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] FlightRadar imaging of the aircraft shows the pilot circling much of the city’s skyline. www.gbnews.com