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Moscow airports briefly shut after Russia says nearly 60 drones downed
Russia temporarily suspended operations at all four Moscow-area airports after authorities said air defences intercepted 59 drones approaching the capital, while Crimea imposed emergency restrictions amid heightened security concerns.
Moscow airports briefly shut after Russia says nearly 60 drones downed
FILE: A passenger waits for her flight at an airport in Moscow, Wednesday, May 6 2026. / AP

Russia's aviation authorities briefly closed Moscow's four airports on Monday, after a flurry of drones were intercepted.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram that 59 drones heading towards the city had been destroyed.

Sobyanin did not provide further details, adding that emergency services had been dispatched to areas where drones were downed.

Kiev has sent drones into Russia in retaliation for Moscow bombing its cities, although Sobyanin did not specify that the drones were from Ukraine.

RelatedTRT World - Russia vows regular large-scale strikes after Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow

The airports of Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo, as well as Zhukovskiy near the capital, had suspended flights, although those were later resumed, the aviation watchdog said separately.

Authorities announced at 5:39 am (0239 GMT) that airports had reopened.

The attack comes after drones again hit Moscow's sole oil refinery last week. In that offensive, Moscow's defence systems shot down nearly 200 drones in one of the biggest air attacks on the city since the strat of Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022.

The city of Sevastopol in Russia-annexed Crimea cancelled all open-air public events on Monday and will keep street lights switched off, Mikhail Razvozhayev, the city governor, said on Telegram as he called on people to curb electricity usage.

Crimea, a popular tourist destination for Russians, has suspended fuel sales to the public and businesses, with supplies restricted to government agencies responsible for essential services and security.

RelatedTRT World - Moscow targeted in 'large-scale' Ukrainian drone attack, mayor says
SOURCE:TRT World and Agencies