Moscow's Vnukovo international airport experienced a series of diversions on Tuesday as a precautionary measure following an attempted drone strike. According to media reports, at least ten flights heading towards the airport were affected as a precautionary measure following the security breach.
The state-run TASS News Agency, citing an official from the emergencies service, reported that the Russian capital was targeted by an attempted drone strike. The incident unfolded in two separate locations - Novaya Moskva, an administrative district in Moscow, and the Kaluga region, southwest of the capital. The report indicated that two drones were intercepted in Novaya Moskva, while the third was neutralized in the Kaluga region.
An official from the emergencies service confirmed the incident, stating that preliminary information indicated the presence of three drones heading towards Moscow at different times. The two drones in Novaya Moskva and the third in the Kaluga Region were successfully jammed, averting any immediate casualties or damage, the official added. Emergency services are currently attending to the scene in Valuyevo village, where debris from one of the intercepted drones fell.
Furthermore, reports are being investigated regarding another unmanned aerial vehicle that allegedly fell near Kubinka, the site of an air base.
Vnukovo airport, situated 28 km southwest of Moscow, acknowledged the situation and disclosed that ten flights were redirected to the capital's other two airports, Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo. However, no further details were provided by the airport authorities.
The incident follows an earlier alleged drone attack on the Kremlin, where Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to assassinate President Vladimir Putin on May 2.