13 airports in southern Russia suspend operations following drone strike
AKIPRESS.COM – The Russian Ministry of Transport announced that 13 airports across southern Russia have halted operations after a drone struck an administrative building belonging to a branch of the “Air Navigation of Southern Russia” company in Rostov-on-Don.
Takeoffs and landings have been suspended in Sochi, Volgograd, Krasnodar, Grozny, Astrakhan, Vladikavkaz, Gelendzhik, Makhachkala, Magas, Mineralnye Vody, Nalchik, Stavropol, and Elista.
The Ministry of Transport promised to decide on the resumption of flights in the near future and has instructed airlines to coordinate with Russian Railways to use trains and buses for transporting passengers from canceled flights.
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia said at least 80 flights have already been delayed or canceled, leaving approximately 14,000 passengers stranded at various airports.
These disruptions occur as a unilateral “truce” declared by Russia for Victory Day began at midnight on May 8 without Ukraine’s agreement. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have continued their strikes, with the Russian Ministry of Defense reporting the destruction of 390 drones and six Neptune missiles “outside the special military operation zone.” Meanwhile, Ukraine has accused Russia of failing to observe its own declared ceasefire.
