All Moscow Airports Closed Following Ukrainian Drone Attacks

All four of Moscow's international airports were closed on Sunday, February 22, 2026, after a series of Ukrainian drone attacks prompted Russia's civil aviation authority to impose indefinite air traffic restrictions. The shutdown of Domodedovo (DME), Vnukovo (VKO), Zhukovsky (ZIA), and Sheremetyevo (SVO) represents one of the most significant disruptions to Russian civil aviation since the start of the conflict. The closure was enacted after Russian air defense forces reportedly downed 11 drones targeting the capital region within a single hour.

The simultaneous closure of the entire Moscow aviation hub highlights the increasing operational and economic pressure on the country's air transport system. This event is part of a broader trend of systematic drone attacks that have moved beyond the front lines to disrupt critical civilian infrastructure. For airlines, passengers, and airport operators, the incident underscores a new reality of unpredictable, short-notice shutdowns that severely impact flight scheduling and network stability.

Details of the Airspace Closure

The order to halt all flight operations came from Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia), which cited immediate safety concerns in a press release. The restrictions were implemented Sunday afternoon and remained in effect "until further notice," leaving hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers in limbo.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed the scale of the aerial assault via his social media channels. In a post at 4 p.m. local time, Sobyanin stated, “Air defences have intercepted another UAV flying towards Moscow. Thus, the total number of downed drones has reached 11.” An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft without a human pilot, commonly known as a drone. The mayor's office serves as a primary source for public information during such security events, as detailed on the Official Portal of the Mayor and Moscow Government.

The affected airports include Domodedovo Mikhail Lomonosov International Airport (DME), Vnukovo International Airport (VKO), Zhukovsky International Airport (ZIA), and Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), which together handle the vast majority of Russia's international and domestic air traffic.

Escalating Impact on Russian Aviation

Sunday's complete shutdown marks an escalation from previous incidents, which often involved the temporary closure of one or two airports. The attacks on the Moscow region have evolved from sporadic occurrences to a more systematic campaign, forcing Russian authorities to repeatedly ground flights. This pattern has resulted in hundreds of flight delays, diversions, and cancellations in recent months.

The economic consequences for Russian airlines are significant. Each disruption incurs costs from wasted fuel during holding patterns, expenses for diverting aircraft to alternate airports, crew rescheduling complexities, and passenger re-accommodation. The persistent threat complicates long-term route planning and erodes passenger confidence, adding further financial strain to an industry already contending with international sanctions.

Regulatory and Strategic Context

As the national aviation authority, Rosaviatsia is responsible for the safety and security of Russian airspace. Its decision to impose comprehensive restrictions is a standard protocol when a direct threat to civil aviation is identified. The agency's actions are guided by international safety standards that prioritize the protection of aircraft from potential conflict-related hazards. More information on its mandate is available via the Federal Air Transport Agency website.

From a strategic perspective, the drone attacks are widely viewed as a tactic to exert psychological and economic pressure on Russia. By bringing the tangible effects of the war to the capital, the attacks aim to disrupt the sense of normalcy for the Russian populace and demonstrate the vulnerability of its sophisticated air defense network. This strategy targets both public morale and the operational capacity of the state's economic centers.

What Comes Next

The immediate timeline for reopening Moscow's airspace remains uncertain. Authorities have indicated that flight operations will only resume once the military declares the threat neutralized. However, given the recurring nature of these drone attacks, the aviation industry in Russia must now plan for such disruptions as a regular operational contingency.

Airlines may need to build greater flexibility into their schedules and establish more robust diversion plans. For passengers, this new environment suggests a higher likelihood of last-minute travel disruptions. The long-term challenge for Russian aviation will be to adapt its security and air traffic management protocols to mitigate the impact of this persistent and evolving threat.

Why This Matters

The complete shutdown of a major global capital's air traffic system due to drone activity marks a significant moment for the commercial aviation industry. It demonstrates the profound vulnerability of civilian air travel to modern, low-cost warfare tactics. This event serves as a critical case study for governments and airport authorities worldwide on the need for advanced counter-UAV systems and dynamic security protocols to protect critical infrastructure from emerging geopolitical threats.

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