Ukrainian drone attacks caused chaos at multiple Russian airports overnight with the country’s civil aviation regulator Rosaviatsiya forced to restrict flight activity.
According to Interfax, Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO), Domodedovo Airport (DME), Vnukovo Airport, Zhukovsky Airport (ZIA) all faced restrictions between October 15 and 16, 2026, in order to “ensure flight safety”.
St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) also suspended flight operations overnight, according to Interfax.
Tambov Airport (TBW), Yaroslavl Airport (CEE), Yaroslavl Airport (IAR), Penza Airport (PEZ), Saratov Airport (GSV) were all temporarily closed. Russian media reported that there were restricted operations at 22 airports in total.
While operations have resumed at airports, residual delays are ongoing at Vnukovo Airport, Sheremetyevo Airport, and Pulkovo Airport, according to FlightRadar24 data.
On October 16, 2026, TASS declared that the Russian Defense Ministry had confirmed Ukraine launched 644 drones across regions overnight, including 57 drones heading towards Moscow.
It is believed that Yandex’s data center in Vladimir Oblast was also struck, according to monitoring channels ExileNova+ and SuperNova+. The same data center was hit on October 11, 2026.
Ukraine to target airports more aggressively
According to The Atlantic, Ukraine is looking to take a more aggressive stance against Russian airports using AI-guided drones.
Relations between Ukraine and the US are currently severely strained in the wake of US President Donald Trump telling Ukraine to stop hitting Russian oil refineries. A more muscular approach to airports could be an option.
Plans to attack airports with drones have been discussed in the past, but Uranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wanted to minimize the risk to travelers, according to The Atlantic.
However, AI-guided drones could be deployed to avoid Russian air defenses and strike airports. Sources told The Atlantic that these drones will soon be built at scale.