Moscow Airport Disruption
Ukrainian drone attacks force repeated closures at all Moscow airports
Key Points
Russian aviation interruptions are typically ordered by Rosaviatsia as a precaution when unidentified aerial objects (including UAVs) are detected near Moscow, with the goal of clearing airspace to prevent collisions and secondary risks. The process can also divert incoming aircraft to alternate airports and delay departures until air-traffic controllers clear the airspace; Russian rules also provide for passenger services such as refreshments and, if delays are prolonged, carrier-provided hotel accommodations.
On June 18, all four airports (Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky, and Sheremetyevo) closed twice overnight. Rosaviatsia announced at 8:00 a.m. that operations were resuming, but flights were suspended again within an hour.
At Sheremetyevo, officials reported broader passenger support measures beyond evacuation and restricted access: stranded travelers were provided with mats and mattresses, drinking water via fountains and water coolers, and free mother-and-child rooms; roughly 30 departures between 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. were canceled, according to online boards.
The Russian Defense Ministry said air defenses shot down 555 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple regions, including “almost 200” intercepted as they approached the Russian capital.
Hours before the attack, Macron framed Ukraine-related diplomacy ahead of the G7 as a consolidation of international support, telling reporters: “These last few days were very important for Ukraine because it is the reunification of the G7 around Ukraine,” adding they would help Ukraine build “capacity to defend itself and capacity to counterattack.”
Ukraine launched its largest-ever drone attack on Moscow overnight on June 18, sending 555 drones across 19 Russian regions and forcing all four Moscow airports to shut down — twice. The strikes hit the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya for the second time in a week, sparking a major fire with at least five ignition points, according to Kyiv Post.
By mid-morning, AzerNews reported that 527 flights had been canceled or delayed across the Moscow hub. Sheremetyevo alone saw 110 cancellations. Staff and passengers were evacuated to underground shelters and parking lots as a second wave of drones hit around 8:50 a.m.
Two Shutdowns, One Morning: How the Airports Closed
Russia's aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, ordered the first closure of Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky at around 2:30 a.m., according to Meduza. Over 30 departures at Sheremetyevo were canceled immediately. Rosaviatsia briefly lifted restrictions at 8:00 a.m. — but within 50 minutes, a second wave forced a second full shutdown.
At Sheremetyevo, passengers were given mats, mattresses, and drinking water. Free mother-and-child rooms were opened for families. Anadolu Agency reported that operations began to resume under an "enhanced mode" by 12:30 p.m., though massive backlogs remained. Russian aviation rules require Rosaviatsia to clear airspace whenever an unidentified aerial object is detected nearby.
555 Drones, One Burning Refinery, and a City on Edge
The Russian Defense Ministry said air defenses shot down all 555 Ukrainian drones. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said nearly 200 were intercepted on approach to the capital alone. But the Kapotnya refinery — which supplies roughly 40% of Moscow's fuel — was hit anyway, Kyiv Independent reported. It had already been struck just 48 hours earlier, on June 16.
Military analysts told Kyiv Post that the sheer volume of drones was designed to "bleed" Russian air defense systems — forcing them to choose between protecting the Kremlin and protecting civilian infrastructure. Russian monitoring channels reported rising anxiety among Moscow residents on social media, driven by the visible refinery fire and travel chaos, according to Ukrinform.
Zelenskyy, Trump, and Macron Align as Bombs Fall
The attack came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy coordinated with U.S. President Donald Trump and France's Emmanuel Macron at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains. Macron told reporters: "These last few days were very important for Ukraine because it is the reunification of the G7 around Ukraine." Trump urged Russia to "make a deal," The Guardian reported.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted a direct message to Muscovites on X: "Ask Putin when he is planning to end [the war]. Now that you know what's going on," the Associated Press reported. The timing also embarrassed Putin, who was hosting ASEAN leaders in Kazan to project an image of Russian stability and global standing.
Fuel Shortages and a Ripple Effect That Will Last Days
Two strikes in 48 hours on the Kapotnya refinery are expected to trigger local fuel shortages. Russia has already begun preparing rare sea-based gasoline imports to compensate for refinery losses nationwide, according to Kyiv Post. The facility's 40% share of Moscow's fuel supply makes repeated strikes a high-value economic strategy for Ukraine.
The cancellation of 527 flights in a single morning will take days to untangle. Airlines advised passengers to check online boards and arrange refunds or rebooking remotely if flights were canceled, Daily Sabah reported. The disruption is expected to cost carriers millions in rebooking fees and lost revenue — a cascading consequence that extends well beyond the airport gates.
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