Moscow airports halt flights for second night after Zelensky's aviation warnings

Moscow's Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports suspended flights for a second consecutive night following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's warnings about dangers to civil aviation in Russian airspace. Russia's aviation agency imposed temporary restrictions on Wednesday, September 2. Flightradar24 data shows Sheremetyevo canceled 21 flights and delayed 235, while Vnukovo canceled 22 and delayed 94. Ukraine has formally urged ICAO to recommend a full ban on civilian flights over Russian territory. In response, Rosaviatsia declared Ukrainian documents legally void, accusing Kyiv of supporting "terrorist rhetoric." Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin said authorities are strengthening security measures and coordinating with the Defense Ministry and Rosgvardia to prevent major disruptions.