Drone Attacks Disrupt Moscow Flights
EL AL Halts Tel Aviv-Moscow Flights Amid Rising Ukraine War Drone Attacks Over Russian Airspace
Key Points
EL AL canceled flight LY611 from Tel Aviv to Moscow, and a parallel S7 Airlines Tel Aviv–Moscow flight was also canceled as part of the suspension, signaling ripple effects on other carriers.
Moscow airspace disruptions tied to Ukrainian drone activity have been extensive, with drones shot down on multiple days (60 on June 16, 76 on June 19, 84 on June 22) and the largest attack on June 18; Moscow airports delayed or canceled hundreds of flights (about 527), highlighting the broader impact on travel.
Analyst Abbas Gallyamov commented that Israelis are afraid to fly to Russia amid drone attacks and airspace disruptions, underscoring the conflict's effect on travel behavior across the region.
Ukraine's president Zelenskiy said Ukraine struck an oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar region and two oil refineries in the Ufa region, about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) from the Ukrainian border, illustrating the war's reach into Russia's infrastructure.
Israel's national carrier EL AL has suspended its Tel Aviv–Moscow route, canceling flight LY611 after a ten-day wave of Ukrainian drone attacks turned Moscow's airspace into one of the most dangerous in the world. The airline said it will reassess the route next week, citing "developments between Russia and Ukraine and recent aviation incidents in the region," according to The Times of Israel.
The suspension came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed long-range strikes on an oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar region and two refineries near Ufa — roughly 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) from the Ukrainian border. A parallel S7 Airlines Tel Aviv–Moscow flight was also canceled, per The Moscow Times.
Ten Days of Drone Raids Paralyzed Moscow's Airports
The trigger for the suspension was a rapid escalation starting June 16. Russian air defenses shot down 60 Ukrainian drones over Moscow that day, according to Kyiv Post. Two days later, the largest single attack to date hit the capital — Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the destruction of 194 drones in one night. The strike badly damaged the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya, which supplies 40–50% of the city's fuel.
The June 18 attack alone forced the delay or cancellation of roughly 527 flights across Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Domodedovo airports, per The Moscow Times. On June 21–22, another wave of 84 drones briefly closed Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports entirely. Aviation experts warned that falling debris from air-defense intercepts near approach paths creates what analysts called "unacceptable hazards" for commercial aircraft.
Ukraine Strikes Refineries 1,500 Kilometers From the Front
Zelenskyy called the campaign a "long-range sanctions plan." On June 25, Ukraine hit the Poltavska oil depot in Krasnodar and two Bashneft refineries in Ufa — Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim and Bashneft-Novoil. Together those two Ufa plants process roughly 13.3 million metric tons of oil per year, according to Ukrainska Pravda. Zelenskyy said: "Russians should be thinking about real diplomacy. The war must be brought to an end."
The strikes follow a June 24 hit on the Orenburg Gas Processing Plant, which was forced to halt all production. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov responded by warning that "massive attacks against Ukraine" would follow, per Globes. Several Russian regions have already introduced gasoline sale limits as the cumulative damage to refining capacity grows.
EL AL Was One of the Last Western-Aligned Carriers Flying to Moscow
Most international airlines cut Russian routes in early 2022. EL AL kept flying because of the large population of Russian-Israeli dual citizens. The airline carries about 6.5 million passengers a year, per Kyiv Post. Suspending the Moscow route signals a real shift — the airline stated it is prioritizing "human life over commercial route profitability," according to JFeed.
Former Kremlin speechwriter and political analyst Abbas Gallyamov framed the moment bluntly: "Israelis are afraid to fly to Russia — not the other way around." Under Israel's Aviation Services Law, affected passengers must be offered either a full cash refund or a flight credit voucher. Travelers who still need to reach Moscow will now route through Istanbul, Doha, or Dubai, adding significant cost and travel time.
Reassessment Planned, But Analysts Doubt Quick Return
EL AL said it will review the situation during the week of June 29, per APA. However, with Lavrov's retaliation threats on the table and drone raids hitting Moscow at a rate of 60–84 intercepts per wave, regional analysts consider an immediate restart unlikely. The airline told passengers they would be informed of alternatives in line with legal requirements.
The suspension also highlights how deeply the Russia-Ukraine war is reshaping civilian life far from the front lines. Ukraine's use of modernized long-range drones — capable of hitting targets 1,500 km inside Russia — means Moscow itself is now a conflict zone for aviation risk purposes, according to Caliber.az.
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