# Aviation disruptions and infrastructure threats in Russia > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/aviation-disruptions-in-russian-airspace > Updated: 2026-10-11T22:07:18.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 5. Aviation services to Russia continue to face disruptions due to safety concerns regarding Russian airspace. Following earlier warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding drone activity, temporary airspace restrictions have become a recurring issue. In October, Moscow’s four major airports—Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky—experienced widespread disruptions linked to drone and balloon activity. These restrictions led to numerous flight cancellations and diversions for several international carriers. Turkish Airlines saw 11 flights from various Turkish cities to Vnukovo cancelled, with aircraft diverted to St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport or Minsk, Belarus. Pegasus Airlines reported delays exceeding 11 hours, while Flydubai and Georgian Airways also faced diversions and rerouting. Data indicated that Vnukovo was particularly impacted, with over 40 percent of flights delayed and approximately 10 percent cancelled. Beyond the Moscow region, Rosaviatsiya implemented preventive security protocols and temporary flight restrictions at three airports east and southeast of Moscow—Bugulma, Nizhnekamsk, and Nizhny Novgorod—following reports of potential Ukrainian drone incursions. Additionally, reports emerged of a fire at an oil terminal in the Rostov region, allegedly following a drone attack, highlighting increasing pressure on Russian civil and energy infrastructure. On October 9, a Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow forced the closure of the four major airports, disrupting the return of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his delegation from a summit in Turkmenistan. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that 15 drones were shot down during the incident. FlightRadar24 data showed that aircraft from the ‘Rossiya Special Flight Squadron’ were forced to circle the capital or were diverted; notably, aircraft RA-96025, used by Putin during his arrival in Turkmenistan, was diverted to Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg before eventually landing in Moscow. On October 11, Moscow’s four major airports again temporarily suspended all flight operations due to approaching Ukrainian drones. ## Claims - FlightRadar24 data showed Russian government aircraft circling Moscow due to airport closures. (corroborated by 5 sources) - At least one aircraft from the Russian presidential fleet was diverted to St. Petersburg. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Tass news agency reported that Vladimir Putin boarded his return flight from Turkmenistan. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Ukrainian drones and small balloons caused a drone attack on Moscow. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that 15 drones were shot down. (single source) - Four major Moscow airports, including Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo, were closed due to the drone threat. (single source) - Vladimir Putin attended summits in Turkmenistan and met with leaders from Turkmenistan and Iran. (single source) - EADaily reported that the aircraft was unable to land in Moscow because of the drone threat. (single source) - FlightRadar imaging of the aircraft shows the pilot circling much of the city’s skyline. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-11: Moscow airports temporarily suspended due to Ukrainian drones Moscow's major airports temporarily suspended flights on Sunday evening after at least 23 Ukrainian drones approached the capital, forcing multiple aircraft to be diverted. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moscow-airports-temporarily-suspended-due-to-ukrainian-drones ### 2026-10-09: Moscow airports closed during drone attack as Putin's aircraft return Ukrainian drone attacks forced the closure of four major Moscow airports, disrupting the return flight of Vladimir Putin and his delegation from a summit in Turkmenistan. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moscow-airports-close-during-drone-attack-as-putins-plane-is-diverted ### 2026-10-09: Moscow airspace restrictions cause widespread flight cancellations Airspace restrictions at Moscow's airports caused major flight cancellations and diversions for Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and Flydubai, following reports of drone activity in the region. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moscow-airspace-restrictions-cause-widespread-flight-cancellations ### 2026-10-08: Russia restricts three airports amid drone threats and oil terminal fire Russia has imposed temporary flight restrictions at three airports near Moscow due to drone threats, while an oil terminal in the Rostov region reportedly caught fire following a suspected drone attack. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-restricts-three-airports-amid-drone-threats-and-oil-terminal-fire ### 2026-09-09: Air Arabia cancels flights to Russia amid airspace safety concerns Air Arabia is canceling flights to Russia due to safety concerns regarding drone activity in Russian airspace, following warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/air-arabia-cancels-flights-to-russia-amid-airspace-safety-concerns --- Cite as: Aviation disruptions and infrastructure threats in Russia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/aviation-disruptions-in-russian-airspace