In Moscow, airports restricted operations for the second night in a row following a warning from Zelenskyy
Moscow’s Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports suspended flight arrivals and departures for the second night in a row following warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about an increased threat to civil aviation in Russian airspace.
On Wednesday, September 2, Rosaviatsiya announced the introduction of temporary restrictions on operations at Moscow’s airports.
“Temporary restrictions on aircraft arrivals and departures have been imposed,” the Russian aviation agency stated.
The airport restrictions have already led to significant disruptions in Moscow’s air traffic.
The day before, three Moscow airports simultaneously suspended operations. According to Flightradar24, 21 flights were canceled at Sheremetyevo, and another 235 were delayed.
At Vnukovo, the situation also significantly disrupted the schedule: 22 flights were canceled and 94 were delayed.
Thus, at these two airports alone, 43 flights were canceled and 329 were delayed the day before.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a warning to foreign airlines, insurance companies, and diplomats regarding the increasing risks of flying over Russian territory.
The head of state explained that Ukraine is striking Russian military targets, as well as parts of Russia’s economic infrastructure that support its war against Ukraine.
Zelenskyy emphasized that such actions constitute the exercise of Ukraine’s right to self-defense.
Against this backdrop, new restrictions on operations at Moscow airports are leading to widespread flight delays and cancellations, creating additional risks and disruptions for civil aviation in Russia.
This was reported by The Moscow Times.
Ukraine has officially notified the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that Russian airspace is not safe. The notification followed repeated strikes by Ukrainian drones on Russian territory.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) issued a NOTAM stating that all documents published by Ukraine regarding flight hazards in Russian airspace have no legal force.
