Russia's Air Defense System Faces Ongoing Disruptions from External Influences

Russia's Air Defense System Faces Ongoing Disruptions from External Influences

In the wake of a series of drone attacks attributed to Ukraine, the current state of air travel in Russian airports, particularly Moscow's Sheremetyevo and St. Petersburg's Pulkovo, is experiencing significant disruptions. On July 6, 2025, these airports faced operational breakdowns, with 171 flights canceled and another 56 delayed at Sheremetyevo, and 90 flights canceled and 37 delayed at Pulkovo. These incidents resulted in approximately 15,000 and 4,500 affected passengers, respectively, leading to crowded terminals and efforts to stabilize the situation [1][2][3][4][5].

Similar disruptions occurred at Nizhny Novgorod’s Chkalov airport, with 26 canceled and 13 delayed flights. In response to these challenges, the number of carriages on high-speed "Sapsan" trains between Moscow and St. Petersburg was increased to accommodate the surge in passenger traffic [1][2][4][5].

The Association of Tour Operators of Russia reported that all train tickets on a particular route were sold out by Sunday morning, as travelers opted for train travel due to flight cancellations and delays [6]. The last available seat on a train between Moscow and St. Petersburg was priced at 21,300 rubles [7].

Rosaviation, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, has deemed the current transport situation at Russian airports as "manageable" [8]. Despite this, temporary suspensions of operations at multiple airports, including Pulkovo, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Pskov, and Tambov, remain in effect [1][2][4][5]. The authorities continue to implement flight restrictions to mitigate safety risks posed by the drone attacks and external interference in airspace [1][2][4][5].

No clear timeline has been provided for the full resumption of normal operations, indicating that fluctuating security concerns and further drone threats may continue to impact air travel in the near future [1][2][4][5]. However, airlines in Russia have sufficient resources to operate under these challenging conditions [9].

In a statement on a Telegram channel, Artem Koreniiako, a representative of Rosaviation, emphasized that the situation is under control [10]. Meanwhile, video footage shows the return of residents from the liberated Kursk region in Ukraine [11].

As the situation evolves, it is clear that the ongoing drone threats and security concerns will continue to shape the landscape of air travel in Russia, particularly in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Passengers are advised to stay informed and plan their travel accordingly.

References: [1] https://tass.com/russia/1318381 [2] https://www.rbc.ru/business/26/07/2025/5f1d18b39a7947767397736d [3] https://www.gazeta.ru/2025/07/26/news/13094422.shtml [4] https://www.interfax.ru/russia/760979 [5] https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4807388 [6] https://www.ator.ru/news/16848 [7] https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-drone-attacks-airports-trains/31541434.html [8] https://tass.com/russia/1318381 [9] https://www.rbc.ru/business/26/07/2025/5f1d18b39a7947767397736d [10] https://www.interfax.ru/russia/760979 [11] https://www.gazeta.ru/2025/07/26/news/13094422.shtml

1. "What's the latest on travel options in Russia, given the ongoing drone attacks and airport disruptions? Many passengers are opting for trains, as tickets on certain routes have already been sold out, possibly due to increased prices."
2. "In the midst of the turbulence caused by war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news events, the lifestyle of residents in the Kursk region has been significantly affected, with some returning home after the region's liberation."
3. "Crime-and-justice news is also emerging, with videos showing the return of the residents, as well as statements from authorities aiming to assure the public that the situation regarding air travel is manageable, even though temporary suspensions and flight restrictions remain."

Read also: