Russian airports suspend flights after mass drone attack

Russian authorities reported dozens of drones shot down overnight on October 30, leading to the suspension of operations at airports in Moscow and several other cities. The restrictions affected four Moscow airports, as well as those in Yaroslavl, Penza, and Saratov. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported air defense operations and claimed 38 drones were destroyed over the capital. Passengers faced flight delays, with some flights redirected to other airports. Monitoring service ASTRA and aviation authority Rosaviatsia confirmed the temporary restrictions on arrivals and departures. The restrictions were not limited to Moscow's aviation hub. Flightradar24 data showed almost no aircraft over Moscow at publication time, with one notable exception being a VIP aircraft from the special flight detachment "Russia" based at Vnukovo. Russian aviation authorities have not announced when full operations will resume.