Russia-Ukraine drone strikes intensify, Moscow shuts airports after interceptions

Moscow shut all four major airports after Russian air defences intercepted 11 Ukrainian drones, as fresh cross-border missile and drone attacks were reported by both sides in the ongoing 4-year-long conflict.

All four international airports in Moscow were temporarily closed on Sunday afternoon after Russian air defence systems intercepted multiple Ukrainian drones approaching the capital.

Russia's civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, said flight restrictions were imposed at Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky and Sheremetyevo airports due to safety concerns, according to news agency Reuters. The suspension remained in place until further notice.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said air defences had shot down another unmanned aerial vehicle headed towards the city, taking the total number of intercepted drones to 11 within about an hour. He shared the update on his Max channel at around 4 pm local time.

As the war between Russia and Ukraine approached the four-year mark, Moscow has repeatedly reported drone incursions targeting several regions, including the capital. Both sides continue to rely heavily on long-range drone and missile strikes.

On the same day, Ukraine reported fresh Russian aerial attacks. Ukraine's State Emergency Service said one person was killed in the Kyiv region after Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones overnight.

Emergency teams rescued eight people, including a child, from the rubble of damaged buildings. Authorities reported fires and destruction across five districts in Kyiv's suburbs. In Putrivka village in the Fastiv district, rescuers worked to free people trapped under debris.