Moscow closes all international airports amid wave of Ukrainian drone attacks
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKFebruary 22, 2026
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Moscow temporarily closed all four international airports in its capital on Sunday following a surge of Ukrainian drone attacks. Air defense systems intercepted 11 drones attempting to reach the city within just one hour, prompting Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, to impose immediate air traffic restrictions at Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky, and Sheremetyevo airports. The closures, which took effect in the afternoon and remain in place pending further notice, were necessitated by safety concerns amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Moscow’s mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, confirmed on social media that air defenses had successfully intercepted another drone targeting the capital, raising the total number of downed drones to 11. This incident came after Ukraine reported a barrage of drone and missile attacks launched from Russian territory overnight, which targeted Kyiv and resulted in at least one fatality and several injuries. According to Ukrainian officials, Russia deployed 297 drones and 50 missiles during the assault, with 274 drones and 33 missiles neutralized by Ukraine’s air defenses. Of the remaining projectiles, 14 missiles and 23 drones hit 14 locations, while three missiles went unaccounted for.
The closure of Moscow’s airports highlights the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, now in its fourth year. Both sides have repeatedly accused each other of launching attacks on their territories. While Russia has focused on the threat posed by Ukrainian drones to its major cities, Ukraine continues to report significant casualties and infrastructure damage from Russian missile strikes. The ongoing conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, with both nations increasingly relying on unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles as key components of their military strategies.
This development underscores the growing sophistication of drone technology in modern warfare and its potential to disrupt civilian infrastructure. The temporary shutdown of Moscow’s airports not only affects international travel but also signals a heightened state of alert for Russian authorities. As the conflict intensifies, the ability of both nations to mobilize such large-scale attacks demonstrates the evolving nature of the war, with no end in sight. For readers following global affairs, this incident serves as a stark
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/22/2026