[63380] Massive drone attack on Russia: Disruptions at Moscow airports

Wave of drone attacks in Russia: Dozens of flights delayed in Moscow

Overnight between May 16 and 17, 2026, Russia experienced a large-scale wave of drone attacks. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 556 unmanned aerial vehicles over various regions, including Moscow, Bryansk, Kursk, and the Crimean Peninsula.

The incident led to severe disruptions in civil aviation. At Sheremetyevo Airport, drone debris was recorded falling, which led to delays and cancellations of over 200 flights. Moscow airports imposed restrictions on takeoff and landing, with some flights being diverted to alternative airports, including Nizhny Novgorod, as reported by Раньше всех. Ну почти..

Reports regarding the results of the strike were conflicting. While airport authorities and Russian state media, such as RT, claimed that "there are no casualties or damage" and that the debris fell "at a safe distance from passenger service areas," sources at УНИАН (which adopts a hostile line toward the Moscow government) reported a fire that broke out on the grounds of Sheremetyevo Airport. Simultaneously, the Telegram channel Крымский ветер reported a fire at the "Belbek" base on the Crimean Peninsula following the attack.

As of the morning hours, most aerial restrictions were gradually lifted. However, aviation authorities noted that updates to the schedules of airlines in Moscow and other destinations such as Kaliningrad and Krasnodar may occur. Various sources, including MSK1.RU, stated that despite the attack, the situation at the airports remained calm and operations returned to normal.