
Sun Feb 22 21:39:24 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Moscow Airports Shut Down as Ukrainian Drones Target Russian Capital
The Story:
On Sunday, February 22, 2026, all four international airports serving Moscow – Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky, and Sheremetyevo – were temporarily closed due to safety concerns. Russian air defense forces reportedly intercepted and shot down 11 Ukrainian drones within a single hour. The closures caused significant air traffic disruptions.
Key Points:
- All four Moscow international airports (Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky, and Sheremetyevo) were closed.
- The closures were prompted by safety concerns due to Ukrainian drone activity.
- Russian air defenses claim to have shot down 11 Ukrainian drones in one hour.
- Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed the drone interceptions via his Max channel.
- The incident occurred as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine approaches its fourth anniversary.
- Rosaviatsia, the Russian civil aviation agency, issued a press release regarding the air traffic restrictions.
Key Takeaways:
- The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with drone attacks reaching the Russian capital.
- The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, such as airports, to drone warfare.
- Air travel in and out of Moscow faces ongoing disruptions due to the security situation.
- The frequency of drone attacks suggests a sustained effort by Ukraine to target Russian territory.
- The downing of 11 drones in an hour indicates a potentially advanced or coordinated attack.