Drone attacks disrupt Moscow airports as Russia records 545 restrictions in October

Disruption overview

Russia recorded 545 flight restrictions in October 2026 as Ukrainian drone attacks continued to interrupt airport operations, with Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, Vnukovo Airport, Domodedovo Airport, and Zhukovsky Airport among the hardest hit. Across 118 airports nationwide, October saw more than 51,900 flights delayed by at least 15 minutes and more than 7,000 canceled, while Aeroflot provided hotel stays, meal vouchers, and transportation during repeated disruption at Sheremetyevo. For passengers, this has meant recurring waits, changed arrival airports, and unexpected overnight stays. Compensation generally isn't expected for these security-related restrictions, but if you're affected, you can still ask your airline about refunds, rebooking, and care during your wait.

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Disruption details

Ukrainian drone attacks continued to disrupt flights across Russia through October 2026, with Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, Vnukovo Airport, Domodedovo Airport, and Zhukovsky Airport among the hardest hit. Russia recorded 545 flight restrictions in October, almost 9 times the 60 recorded in the same month a year earlier.

For passengers, the repeated restrictions have meant delays, cancellations, and arrivals at alternative airports. If you're caught in the disruption, the impact can extend beyond the airport wait to an unexpected overnight stay or a ground transfer.

The nationwide disruption affected 61,900 flights. During October, more than 51,900 flights were delayed by at least 15 minutes, and more than 7,000 were canceled across 118 airports. These figures show the scale of the disruption beyond Moscow's major airports.

Russia imposed roughly 3,594 flight restrictions between January and October 2026. Alongside the Moscow airports, facilities near the Ukrainian border experienced some of the most severe effects. The restrictions have become a recurring problem rather than a single interruption to flight schedules.

About half of the recent restrictions began overnight, between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am Moscow time. Airports have repeatedly suspended and resumed operations, leaving airlines to adjust services as restrictions change.

Longer delays have also increased. Flights delayed by more than 2 hours rose by 20.3% during the January–August period, adding to the pressure on passengers and airlines before October's sharp rise in restrictions.

Airlines have frequently rerouted aircraft to alternative hubs. That has created additional costs for emergency accommodation and ground transportation when passengers couldn't complete their journeys as planned.

Aeroflot, Russia's flag carrier, provided hotel rooms for more than 2,600 passengers following restrictions at Sheremetyevo Airport on 23 October 2026. The airline also issued 11,000 meal vouchers.

Further disruption on 29 and 30 October 2026 required another round of assistance. Aeroflot arranged hotels for another 1,600 passengers, distributed 20,000 meal vouchers, and provided transportation for more than 1,300 people. These measures helped travelers manage the immediate consequences of interrupted journeys.

Repeated closures also make it harder for airlines to keep schedules within crew work and rest limits. Even when an airport resumes operations, airlines still need to manage those requirements while reorganizing disrupted flights.

The latest restrictions add to the challenges Russian carriers have faced from sanctions and airspace restrictions imposed since 2022. The current disruption, however, centers on drone-related security restrictions and the repeated interruption of airport operations.

Compensation generally isn't expected here because the drone-related security restrictions are outside airlines' control, and the flights described are primarily domestic Russian services rather than flights covered by European compensation rules.

That doesn't mean you're without support. If your flight is canceled, ask your airline about rebooking or a refund. For a lengthy delay or an overnight wait, ask what meals, accommodation, and transportation it can provide. Your exact rights depend on your flight and the applicable rules. AirHelp's free flight checker can help you check whether compensation rules cover your particular journey.

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Information on this page is AI generated, but always checked by a (human) passenger right expert.