Moscow Reports Drone Attack, Airport Flights Restricted

Moscow authorities reported a massive drone attack on the city on the night of October 17-18, with Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claiming dozens of drones were shot down by Russian air defense systems. Flight restrictions remain in place at Moscow airports. Sobyanin stated that air defense forces first destroyed 12 drones, then 25 more, and later repelled an attack of 14 UAVs. Emergency services are working at debris fall sites, though no further details on consequences were provided. Three flights from Turkey to Moscow were diverted over Poland and Lithuania. The incident follows a major Ukrainian drone attack on October 14 that caused over 500 flight delays or cancellations, with Russia claiming 902 drones neutralized. A similar drone attack on Moscow and the "Kovry" plan at airports were also reported on October 9.