Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky Airports in Russia Faced Over Two Hundred Flight Delays After Ukraine’s Largest Drone Strike on Moscow, Disrupting Aeroflot, Qatar, China, Emirates and Others – Travel And Tour World

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Ukraine’s largest drone strike on Moscow early Tuesday forced authorities to temporarily shut down Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky airports, leading to over two hundred flight delays. The attack disrupted operations for major airlines, including Aeroflot, Qatar Airways, China Eastern, and Emirates, as flights were either postponed or rerouted. While Moscow has faced drone incursions before, this was the most extensive, highlighting Ukraine’s growing ability to strike deep into Russian territory and causing one of the biggest air travel disruptions since the war began.

A Major Strike on Moscow

The attack unfolded as U.S. officials were set to meet a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia to discuss potential resolutions to the three-year conflict. Meanwhile, Russian forces continued their offensive, attempting to encircle thousands of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that the drone strike was the largest Ukraine has launched on the city to date. The Russian capital and its surrounding areas, home to over 21 million people, have largely been shielded from the war’s direct impact until recent months.

Casualties and Damage

Two employees of Miratorg, one of Russia’s largest meat producers, were killed by falling debris just south of Moscow. A third fatality was later reported in Domodedovo, a nearby town. Additionally, 18 people, including three children, were injured. Residential buildings were also hit, with images showing shattered windows and damaged apartments.

Despite the attack, life in Moscow continued as usual, with commuters heading to work. The city’s four major airports temporarily halted operations but reopened shortly afterward, though some flights were rerouted to other cities.

Impact on Air Travel

The drone strike caused significant disruptions to air travel across Moscow’s main airports, leading to delays and a small number of cancellations.

Vnukovo Airport reported a total of 60 delays and 1 cancellation, with UTair experiencing the most delays (35 flights, 66%). Other airlines impacted included Belavia, FlyDubai, Pegasus Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.
Domodedovo International Airport recorded 60 delays, affecting airlines such as S7 Airlines, Emirates, Egypt Air, and Royal Jordanian.
Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow’s busiest hub, saw the highest number of delays, with 107 flights affected, including 77 Aeroflot flights (20% delayed). Other impacted airlines included Air China, Qatar Airways, and Rossiya Airlines.
Zhukovsky International Airport experienced minimal disruption, with only three delays, mainly affecting Aircompany Somon Air LLC and Ural Airlines.

Escalating Drone Warfare

Ukraine has suffered relentless missile and drone attacks from Russia throughout the war. On Tuesday, Kyiv reported being targeted by 126 drones and a ballistic missile. In response, Ukraine has ramped up its own drone strikes, targeting Russian oil refineries, military airfields, and even early-warning radar stations.
Both Russia and Ukraine have heavily invested in drone warfare, turning commercial models into lethal weapons and deploying advanced electronic countermeasures. The use of drones has transformed the conflict, bringing a mix of modern technology and traditional battlefield tactics.

Russia’s Response

Following the attack, a senior Russian lawmaker suggested retaliating with an Oreshnik hypersonic missile—previously used against Ukraine in November after the U.S. and U.K. authorized Kyiv to strike deeper into Russian territory with Western missiles.
President Vladimir Putin, who has tried to keep the war from directly affecting Moscow, has condemned Ukrainian strikes on civilian infrastructure as acts of terrorism. He has vowed a strong response.
Ukraine’s largest drone strike on Moscow forced the temporary closure of Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky airports, causing over 230 flight delays. Major airlines like Aeroflot, Qatar Airways, China Eastern, and Emirates were affected as operations were disrupted.

War Rages On

While U.S. President Donald Trump has stated his intention to bring peace to Ukraine, the war continues to escalate. Russia is pushing forward with a major spring offensive in Kursk, while Ukraine intensifies its drone attacks inside Russian territory.
Despite the conflict, Moscow, the wealthiest city in Russia, has experienced economic growth, fueled by increased defense spending—the highest since the Cold War. However, as drone warfare becomes an increasingly critical factor, the battle lines are shifting, and both sides are preparing for further escalation.

Share On:

Tags: Aeroflot, china, domodedovo, Drone Strike, Emirates, moscow, QATAR, Russia, sheremetyevo, travel industry, Ukraine, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky Airport