[51050] Widespread flight disruptions in Russia amid fear of drone attacks

Flight disruptions in Moscow and other Russian destinations due to drone threats

Throughout May 5, 2026, Russia experienced a wave of civil aviation disruptions following unusual security alerts. The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) announced the suspension of operations at Moscow's main airports — Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky — due to fears of drone attacks and the activation of a security protocol known as "Carpet" (Kover). According to reports from Moskvach, over 100 flights were delayed or canceled following the restrictions.

The crisis was also felt outside the capital. State news agency "Vesti" reported temporary restrictions at additional airports across Russia, including Chelyabinsk, Kazan, Sochi, and Nizhny Novgorod. The channel "Ostorozhno, Moskva" noted that the disruptions also affected "Pulkovo" airport in Saint Petersburg, where several flights to Moscow were canceled.

While official media and pro-Kremlin sources such as RT (Russia Today) emphasized that these were routine preventive measures to ensure flight safety, critical and opposition figures presented a different narrative. The Telegram channel NEXTA Live, known for its anti-government stance, labeled the event a security failure and cynically declared: "Congratulations, drones have successfully closed all airports in the capital."

Throughout the day, there were reports of the opening and repeated closing of some airspaces. On the evening of May 5, officials, including Rosaviatsiya, began providing updates on the lifting of restrictions at most Moscow airports. Nevertheless, passengers were advised to expect lingering delays due to the accumulation of backlog and increased screening procedures, especially on international flights at Sheremetyevo airport.