Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg has resumed operations, but major airlines Aeroflot, Rossiya, and Pobeda have announced adjustments to their flight schedules. The Ministry of Defense reported that 221 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were shot down by air defense systems over various Russian regions overnight, including 30 in the Leningrad region.
A number of Russian airports experienced temporary flight restrictions due to a large-scale drone attack, leading to dozens of flight delays. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that 221 UAVs were intercepted across Russian regions overnight. The highest concentration, 85, was downed over the Bryansk region, with dozens more in the Leningrad region and nine over the capital region.
Temporary flight restrictions were also implemented at airports in Ivanovo, Yaroslavl, Kaluga, and Pskov. Local authorities in Pskov indicated that these restrictions might remain in place for up to 24 hours. Flight cancellations and arrival delays were also recorded at Kaliningrad`s Khrabrovo Airport. A similar situation unfolded at St. Petersburg`s Pulkovo Airport, where over 80 flights were delayed, canceled, or diverted to alternative airports due to the imposed limitations. Airlines Aeroflot, Rossiya, and Pobeda confirmed adjustments to their operational schedules. Maxim Tikhonov, a commentator for Business FM St. Petersburg, provided insights into the situation in the «Northern Capital»:
— Citing Governor Alexander Drozdenko, there was an attack involving at least 30 UAVs. Specifically, a fire was extinguished on a vessel in the port of Primorsk, where the fire suppression system activated, with no threats of sinking or fuel spillage. At Pulkovo Airport, approximately 30 flights were delayed, 13 canceled, and 10-11 were diverted to alternative airfields.
— Is it known how many people are currently waiting at the airport?
— There is no specific information available, but based on published footage, there are many people. Currently, there`s information about delays, and passengers have been waiting for departures in the lounge areas since 7:30 AM.
— Is «Plan Carpet» in effect, or are there other flight restrictions due to the UAV attack?
— Naturally. «Plan Carpet» was reportedly announced during the night, but it seems there haven`t been other major changes to it.
Maxim Tikhonov, Business FM St. Petersburg Commentator
Vladislav Shapsha, Governor of the Kaluga region, reported that one of the downed UAVs damaged three cars on the outskirts of Kaluga near a body of water; fortunately, no injuries were reported. Kaluga Airport resumed its operations in the morning.
