Russian Airlines face mass flight disruptions after Ukrainian drone attacks

Key Takeaways

• Over 350 flights were canceled or delayed, stranding more than 60,000 passengers across Russia.
• Ukrainian drone attacks led to the activation of ‘Plan Cover,’ halting civilian air traffic in affected regions.
• Moscow airports—Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky—saw the worst disruptions, with ripple effects nationwide.

A wave of Ukrainian drone attacks has caused severe problems for Russian Airlines and their passengers, bringing widespread chaos to airports in and around Moscow 🇷🇺 and beyond. In the largest air travel suspension since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, tens of thousands found themselves stranded, their travel plans suddenly thrown into disarray. This article takes a close look at how these drone attacks led to so much disruption, what responses followed, and what this might mean for anyone traveling to, from, or within Russia 🇷🇺—especially at a time when political events were already putting airports under strain.

Largest Air Disruption Since the Start of Conflict

The immediate effects of the Ukrainian drone attacks were felt sharply by Russian Airlines, especially those operating out of Moscow 🇷🇺. Over 350 flights faced cancellation or delays across the country, with at least 110 flights canceled at the capital’s busiest hubs: Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports. These four airports serve as the main gateways to and from Moscow and handle a large share of international and domestic passengers.

The trouble quickly grew as the disruptions at Moscow airports had a ripple effect. Airports in Siberia (across ten cities), Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, Yaroslavl, Kazan, and other regions also saw closures and restrictions. It became clear that the problem was national in scope, not limited just to Moscow 🇷🇺.

How Many People Were Stranded?

Canceled and delayed flights left more than 60,000 passengers stuck. Many spent hours waiting onboard planes, parked on runways or in terminals, often with little food or clear guidance. Some found themselves stranded far from where they started, lacking information about when or how they might reach their destinations.

In Siberia alone, over 4,000 people had their travel plans interrupted because delays and cancellations in Moscow airports pushed back flights across the region. The numbers show just how quickly a security event at a major hub can create problems all over a country—especially one as big as Russia 🇷🇺.

Russian Airlines tried to help where they could. Companies like Aeroflot (the national carrier), Pobeda Airlines (Aeroflot’s budget subsidiary), and S7 Airlines sent out public warnings about expected delays and sudden changes. In some cases, airlines gave full refunds or allowed travelers to change their tickets for free if their flights were canceled because of the drone attacks. But, with so many people affected, solutions took time and coordination.

What Caused This Crisis?

The chaos began as Ukrainian drones targeted areas in and around Moscow 🇷🇺, hitting critical infrastructure and even defense industry sites. Russian authorities described this as the largest drone assault on their territory so far. The Russian Defense Ministry said that over 500 drones had been intercepted in a single night.

This overwhelming number of drones forced Russian security officials to raise their alert level and activate what’s called “Plan Cover.” Under these rules, civilian air traffic can be halted or limited as military and emergency responders react to attacks. “Plan Cover” meant that no civilian aircraft—including those of Russian Airlines—could take off or land in affected regions until security was restored. As flights were grounded or redirected, scheduling chaos grew.

Reports showed that some drones struck factories making military equipment, including the Bazalt munitions plant near Moscow and the Splav plant in Tula. These strikes caused fires and put extra pressure on airport security, just before Russia 🇷🇺 was set to celebrate Victory Day—a key national holiday marking the end of World War II. These events drew even more attention, since foreign leaders, such as China 🇨🇳’s President Xi Jinping, were arriving for parade celebrations.

Broader Effects on Travel and Immigration

Impact on Travelers and the Immigration System

For travelers, this meant not just missing flights or spending extra hours at airports, but sometimes being rerouted across entire continents. For example, Serbia’s president—headed to Russia 🇷🇺 for Victory Day—was diverted as far as Baku, Azerbaijan 🇦🇿, after Russian airspace was declared unsafe. Such detours can cause all sorts of problems: visas may need to be changed, connections can be missed, and even embassy appointments can be lost.

Airport shutdowns or restrictions put extra stress on immigration officers and customs officials. When flights resume suddenly after closures, thousands of passengers may arrive at once, leading to long waits at immigration desks. Processing all these people, checking their documents, and making sure security remains tight becomes much harder under these strained conditions.

For immigrants and foreigners living in Russia 🇷🇺, visa renewals or travel plans were put on hold. Many had to change their schedules for family visits, job assignments, or studies. Those planning trips for business or moving for jobs in Russia 🇷🇺 also faced sudden uncertainty. As reported by VisaVerge.com, such unpredictable interruptions can affect everything from international business deals to personal reunions.

Complications for International Students and Workers

International students studying in Russia 🇷🇺 faced missed classes or forced delays traveling to their universities. Workers and professionals—especially those whose visas were set to expire or who needed to appear at certain dates and times—found themselves in limbo, with no idea when travel would restart.

The problems didn’t end when the airports reopened. According to Russia’s Association of Tour Operators, delays in one part of the country can ripple through schedules everywhere: “Due to the peculiarities of airlines’ schedule planning… planes that did not arrive at their destination on time will be late for other flights as well.” So, a delayed flight to Moscow 🇷🇺 could lead to dozens of extra problems for passengers headed to faraway places like Siberia or Kazakhstan 🇰🇿.

Why Moscow Airports Matter So Much

Moscow 🇷🇺 is not just the political and economic center of Russia 🇷🇺. Its airports handle tens of millions of passengers a year, both for travel inside the country and to other nations. If flights in or out of Moscow airports are blocked, much of Russia 🇷🇺’s air traffic comes to a halt. This can leave people stuck far from home or unable to start jobs, attend school, or join family.

Major events, like the Victory Day celebrations, pull in thousands of extra people—many from other countries who need visas, hotel reservations, and return flights. Any disruption at these airports can make it difficult for them to enter Russia 🇷🇺, get their immigration paperwork checked, or even leave the country according to their plans.

Airlines Try to Help but Face Limitations

Even though major Russian Airlines like Aeroflot, Pobeda, and S7 Airlines did what they could—such as issuing refunds, letting passengers change tickets, and putting out safety warnings—they faced challenges that were out of their control. The decision to ground flights rested with airport security and government officials responding to the threat of more drone attacks.

Passengers often waited on planes for hours, sometimes without clear information, food, or water. This led to frustration and in some cases, fear. For those waiting far from home, these delays also created extra problems with hotel bills, missed work, or lost connections that couldn’t always be fixed by a refund alone.

Both airlines and airport staff had to stay alert for updates from the Russian government about the security situation. They worked quickly to get flights moving again once given the green light—but often, regular schedules couldn’t be restored for many hours or even days.

A Summary Table: Key Facts of the Disruption

Political Tensions Add to the Uncertainty

The timing of the drone attacks made things even more complicated. With leaders from around the world arriving for the Victory Day parade, Russian Airlines and airport security needed to handle not just regular flights and passengers, but also very important guests and their staff. Safety concerns were high, which added to the urge to keep airspace above big cities like Moscow 🇷🇺 clear during suspected attacks.

Some foreign dignitaries had to change their travel plans entirely, with unexpected delays or diversions out of Russian airspace. For international travelers, this can mean suddenly needing to adjust visa dates, rebook tickets, or even contact their embassies for help. Long lines at airports, canceled appointments, and unpredictable arrival times can make immigration processing much more difficult for everyone involved.

Warnings About Future Disruptions

The Russian government and aviation authorities made it clear that more trouble could follow if further attacks happened near large urban centers with major airport operations. Russian Airlines and airport staff remained on high alert, bracing for sudden changes that might force more delays or groundings.

Travelers—especially those coming for work, study, or family visits—were warned to check flight information regularly and to stay in contact with their airlines for updates. Many found it helpful to visit the official Russian Federal Air Transport Agency website for up-to-the-minute news about airport status and airline service changes.

Tips for Managing Travel in Times of Crisis

For anyone planning to travel by air in Russia 🇷🇺, especially in times of heightened tension, it’s smart to plan ahead and be ready for disruptions:

• Always check your airline’s website or contact them before heading to the airport;
• Sign up for notifications that provide updates about your specific flight;
• If traveling for work, study, or with a visa that has fixed dates, consider speaking with your employer, school, or embassy about what to do if your plans are changed suddenly;
• Keep extra copies of your travel and immigration documents, and make sure you know where to find official help if needed.

While Russian Airlines continue to respond as best as they can under difficult circumstances, the wave of Ukrainian drone attacks and the effects on Moscow airports show how quickly normal travel can be thrown off course by a security threat.

Lasting Effects on Immigration and Travel

As the airspace top security measures continue, many people working, studying, or moving between countries are likely to face more hurdles. Immigration offices, airlines, and embassies will need to coordinate quickly in order to help those stranded or delayed because of flight disruptions.

In the short term, travelers have learned to be flexible with their plans, pack extra patience, and expect the unexpected. Over time, Russian Airlines and the country’s airport network may need to look for new ways to provide better support and clearer information to all flyers, from tourists to migrant workers.

For now, tens of thousands of travelers—both Russians and visitors from abroad—remain cautious, watching for signs that the skies above Moscow 🇷🇺 and other key hubs will stay clear and safe for normal travel. Anyone affected is encouraged to use resources like the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency’s official updates, as well as reliable news sources and platforms like VisaVerge.com, to check for fresh information before they make any new travel or immigration plans.

In summary: Massive Ukrainian drone attacks have forced Russian Airlines to suspend and delay hundreds of flights, affecting Moscow airports most but also spreading chaos nationwide. With over 60,000 passengers left stranded, immigration processing, business trips, and student travel have all been caught up in the ongoing crisis. As authorities warn of possible further disruptions, all travelers should stay informed, flexible, and in close contact with airlines and immigration officials to manage the unpredictable days ahead.

Learn Today

Plan Cover → Emergency protocol to halt civilian air traffic during security threats, permitting only military and emergency flights until safety is restored.
Victory Day → Major Russian national holiday on May 9, commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Bazalt munitions plant → A Russian military factory near Moscow, targeted in drone attacks, known for producing ammunition and defense supplies.
Visa renewal → Administrative process by which immigrants or foreign residents request an extension of their legal visa stay in a country.
Russian Federal Air Transport Agency → Government body regulating air travel in Russia, providing official updates on flight status and airport operations.

This Article in a Nutshell

A surge of Ukrainian drone attacks forced Moscow’s main airports to suspend hundreds of flights, stranding 60,000 travelers and creating nationwide chaos. Airlines scrambled to offer help, but political tensions and military priorities pushed Russia’s air travel system to its limits, leaving passengers and immigration processes in disarray.
— By VisaVerge.com

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