Moscow Hit by Massive Drone Attack as Airports Restrict Flights

Moscow and the surrounding region came under a large-scale drone attack overnight on Wednesday, Oct. 28, into Thursday, Oct. 29, with Russian authorities claiming to have shot down at least 74 drones approaching the capital as airports imposed flight restrictions. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin initially reported that Russian air defenses had intercepted 57 drones heading toward the city. By approximately 2:15 a.m. Moscow time, he raised the total to 74, according to Ukrinform.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The reported interceptions could not be independently verified. Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsiya, introduced temporary restrictions on arrivals and departures at three airports serving Moscow – Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky – citing aviation safety concerns. Restrictions at Zhukovsky were lifted approximately an hour later, while Vnukovo and Domodedovo continued accepting aircraft under special coordination procedures. Two aircraft traveling from Turkey to Moscow were forced to turn back because of the restrictions at Vnukovo, according to the independent Russian news outlet ASTRA, citing the Russian state news agency TASS and air traffic control information. Residents of Naro-Fominsk, southwest of Moscow, reported hearing at least three explosions overnight, according to ASTRA. The town is located approximately 56 kilometers (35 miles) from the Moscow Ring Road. Residents told ASTRA they heard explosions despite not hearing drones overhead. Others reported repeated blasts in the direction of the neighboring Kaluga region. Other Topics of Interest Russian Strike on Dnipro Industrial Site Injures 1 as Attacks Across Region Wound 5 Others Russian forces struck four districts more than 40 times with guided aerial bombs (KABs), drones and artillery on Wednesday, hitting private homes, a gas station and infrastructure. Russian authorities issued drone warnings across the Moscow region at approximately 10 p.m. local time. Emergency services were dispatched to locations where drones were reportedly intercepted, according to Sobyanin. The latest incident follows a series of drone attacks that have repeatedly disrupted air traffic around the Russian capital this month. On Oct. 23, Kyiv Post reported on drone activity affecting Moscow’s airports. During that earlier attack, all four major airports serving Moscow – Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky – temporarily suspended operations, disrupting hundreds of flights. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.