St. Petersburg`s Pulkovo Airport has resumed operations after significant disruptions. Major airlines such as Aeroflot, Rossiya, and Pobeda have announced adjustments to their flight schedules. These measures follow a large-scale drone attack overnight, during which the Ministry of Defense reported that air defense systems intercepted 221 Ukrainian drones across various Russian regions, with 30 downed specifically over the Leningrad Oblast.
Numerous Russian airports implemented flight restrictions in response to a widespread drone attack, resulting in dozens of delayed flights. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, 221 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were intercepted over Russian territories overnight. The largest concentration, 85, was downed over the Bryansk region, with dozens more in the Leningrad region, and nine over the Moscow metropolitan area.
Temporary flight restrictions were also imposed at airports in Ivanovo, Yaroslavl, Kaluga, and Pskov. Local authorities in Pskov indicated that their airport`s restrictions might remain in effect for up to 24 hours. Kaliningrad`s Khrabrovo Airport also reported cancellations and arrival delays. St. Petersburg`s Pulkovo Airport faced similar challenges, with over 80 flights delayed, canceled, or diverted due to the imposed restrictions. Airlines such as Aeroflot, Rossiya, and Pobeda confirmed adjustments to their flight schedules. Commenting on the situation in St. Petersburg, Business FM St. Petersburg observer Maxim Tikhonov stated:
Maxim Tikhonov: “Referring directly to Governor Alexander Drozdenko, there was an attack involving at least 30 UAVs. Notably, at the port of Primorsk, a fire on one of the vessels was extinguished by its fire suppression system, with no risk of sinking or fuel spillage. At Pulkovo Airport, approximately 30 flights were delayed, 13 were canceled, and 10-11 flights were diverted to alternative airports.”
Interviewer: “Is there any information on how many people are currently waiting at the airport?”
Maxim Tikhonov: “That information isn`t available, but from the published footage, it`s clear there are many people. Currently, we know there are delays, and passengers have been waiting in departure lounges since 7:30 AM.”
Interviewer: “Is `Plan Carpet` (a temporary airspace closure) in effect, or are there other flight restrictions due to the UAV attack?”
Maxim Tikhonov: “Yes, naturally. `Plan Carpet` was reportedly activated during the night, but it seems there haven`t been further changes to that plan.”
Vladislav Shapsha, the Governor of Kaluga Oblast, reported that one of the intercepted UAVs damaged three cars on the outskirts of Kaluga near a body of water, though no injuries were reported. Kaluga Airport resumed operations in the morning.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth