- Moscow’s Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports suspended operations for a second consecutive night amid drone threats, shortly after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned airlines and insurers about risks to civilian aviation.
- Russia’s federal aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, again imposed temporary restrictions on aircraft movements at the two major Moscow airports on September 2.
- Three airports in the Russian capital had temporarily halted operations the previous night, and Flightradar24 data showed significant disruptions at Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo.
- The repeated shutdowns came after Zelenskyy issued a warning on September 1 to international airlines, aviation insurers, and companies still operating through Russian airspace.
- Zelenskyy stated that Russia launched the first missiles and drones from its airspace, and that this escalation cannot remain confined to Ukrainian territory.
- The Ukrainian President warned every airline using Russian airspace, and said Kyiv intends to intensify long-range drone operations inside Russia, which must factor into commercial aviation decisions.
- Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister Mykola Kalashnyk said stronger international measures are necessary to minimize the risk of a civilian aviation disaster, and Pegasus Airlines suspended flights overnight on September 2 amid drone-related disruptions.
Moscow's Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports have suspended operations for a second consecutive night due to ongoing drone threats. This decision follows a warning from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the increasing risks associated with flying in Russian airspace.167
On September 1, Zelenskyy cautioned international airlines and aviation insurers about the dangers posed by Russia's contested airspace, stating, "It was from Russia that the first missiles and the first drones came... This escalation cannot and will not remain confined to Ukrainian territory."
The Russian federal aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, has implemented temporary restrictions on aircraft movements at the two major airports, leading to significant disruptions. On September 2, 21 flights were canceled and 235 delayed at Sheremetyevo, while Vnukovo saw 22 cancellations and 94 delays.23
In response to the escalating situation, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has formally notified the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) about the growing dangers in Russian airspace, urging member states to prohibit civilian aircraft from operating there.
The Ukrainian government has emphasized the need for stronger international measures to prevent a potential civilian aviation disaster as military activities intensify within Russia. Previously, Türkiye’s largest private airline, Pegasus Airlines, suspended operations amid similar concerns on September 2.1011
“Rosaviatsia imposed temporary restrictions on aircraft movements at the two airports on September 2, with Flightradar24 data showing 21 cancellations and 235 delays at Sheremetyevo. Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Mykola Kalashnyk called for stronger international measures to prevent a civilian aviation disaster.”
UNITED24 Media
