(MOSCOW, RUSSIA) – Russia has begun 2026 facing sustained disruption to its civil aviation network, as Ukrainian drone attacks targeting the Moscow region have forced repeated airport closures and widespread flight cancellations during the peak New Year and Orthodox Christmas travel period.
According to multiple media reports, Ukrainian drones have targeted the Moscow region every day so far in 2026. These attacks have led to temporary shutdowns at several of the capital’s major airports, including Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky. Vnukovo is Moscow’s second busiest airport and a key hub for domestic and international travel.
India based broadcaster NDTV reported that three of Moscow’s four airports were forced to halt air traffic on Sunday after dozens of drones were launched toward the capital. The Ukrainian Week reported that nearly 200 flights were delayed at the affected airports. Russia’s aviation regulator Rosaviatsia confirmed that closures were imposed between 1300 and 1400 GMT to ensure flight safety.
The Guardian reported on 5 January that Russia’s defence ministry claimed Ukraine had launched drones toward Moscow every day since the start of the year. By midnight on Sunday, Russian authorities said air defences had destroyed 57 drones over the Moscow region and a total of 437 drones across Russia. These figures could not be independently verified.
The repeated disruptions are occurring during one of Russia’s busiest travel seasons. Many Russians traditionally travel during the New Year holiday period, which is followed by Orthodox Christmas on 7 January under the Julian calendar. Ukraine, which previously observed the same date, now marks Christmas on 25 December.
Flight disruptions in Russia have become increasingly common since the start of the full scale war in Ukraine. While individual closures are often reported, the frequency of incidents has led to a degree of normalisation, with delays and cancellations now a regular feature of air travel in western Russia.
In addition to flight delays, residents in Moscow and other cities have experienced disruptions to mobile data and satellite navigation services. These interruptions are linked to Russian electronic warfare measures aimed at jamming Ukrainian drones, which have also affected civilian communication networks.
Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine’s entire airspace has been closed to commercial aviation. Russia has similarly closed airspace over regions bordering Ukraine. Analysts say further restrictions could be introduced if drone threats continue to expand deeper into Russian territory.
At the same time, Russia’s aviation sector faces structural challenges. Western sanctions have limited access to spare parts and new aircraft, forcing airlines to keep ageing fleets in service. Some regional aircraft in use are more than 40 years old and date back to the Soviet era. Moscow is attempting to revive domestic aircraft production, including the MC 21 programme, but progress has been slow.
Ukraine’s growing ability to conduct deep strikes inside Russia marks a significant shift since 2022. At the start of the war, Ukraine had limited long range strike capability. Since then, it has rapidly expanded domestic drone production.
One of Ukraine’s key producers, Fire Point, says it now manufactures up to 200 long range FP 1 and FP 2 drones per day. Each unit reportedly costs about 58,000 US dollars, which is approximately 214 million Ukrainian hryvnia at current exchange rates. The company says it has localised most components, though some microchips are still imported.
A summary of reported aviation disruptions in early 2026 is shown below:
| Indicator | Reported Figures |
|---|---|
| Daily drone attacks on Moscow region | Every day in 2026 so far |
| Flights delayed in one day | Nearly 200 |
| Airports temporarily closed | Up to three |
| Drones claimed intercepted nationwide | 437 |
The risks to commercial aviation are not theoretical. In 2025, Russian air defence fire accidentally brought down Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 and damaged Aeroflot Flight AFL1845 during its approach to Moscow. These incidents have heightened concern about civilian safety in contested airspace.
Aviation analysts warn that flight disruptions across western Russia could persist or worsen as Ukraine continues to expand its long range strike capabilities. The situation indictated how the war is increasingly affecting civilian infrastructure far from the front lines, with air travel emerging as one of the most visible pressure points.