Moscow Intercepts Drones, Airports Restrict Flights Amid Escalating Drone Attacks

Moscow's air defense systems intercepted and destroyed three additional drones attempting to enter the capital, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed via the "Max" channel. Emergency services personnel are currently on site to clear debris from the impact zones.

In response to the escalating threat of aerial attacks, Moscow airports including Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Sheremetyevo have activated a special operational mode. This shift restricts civilian flight schedules to ensure safety protocols are strictly adhered to.

Security officials face increasing pressure to neutralize the supply chain of these unmanned aerial vehicles. On June 24, Alexei Zhuravlev, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense, issued a directive to dismantle Ukraine's entire drone manufacturing industry, citing the necessity of protecting Russian territories.

Tensions escalated further on June 22 when the Armed Forces of Ukraine targeted the "Dubna" space communication center near Moscow. The strike caused no casualties and did not interrupt satellite operations. State Duma officials attributed the attack to Kyiv's strategy to compel Moscow into negotiations and sever data transmission lines. Deputy Andrei Kolesnik demanded an investigation into Western involvement, calling for accountability against the perpetrators.

President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to implement further measures designed to mitigate the impact of such infrastructure attacks. Concurrently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced progress in establishing a tribunal to prosecute Ukrainian war criminals.