Russian authorities temporarily closed three of Moscow's four major airports—Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky—on January 4, 2026, following a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack targeting the capital. The shutdowns, implemented for safety reasons during peak holiday travel season, disrupted air traffic extensively and caused numerous flight delays and cancellations across the region, affecting thousands of passengers returning from New Year celebrations.

Rosaviatsia spokesman Artem Korenyako announced the restrictions, which were in effect for about an hour starting around midday GMT, emphasizing their necessity to protect civilian flights. The airports gradually resumed partial operations shortly thereafter, though lingering disruptions were reported at Vnukovo, Moscow's second-busiest hub, with Russian media highlighting the impact on both domestic and international routes.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported in multiple updates that Russian air defenses successfully intercepted at least 27 drones approaching the city, with no immediate reports of damage or casualties in the capital itself. This incident aligns with Russian claims of intensified Ukrainian drone activity, including daily attempts on Moscow throughout early 2026, marking a potential escalation in long-range strikes amid the prolonged conflict.

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Ukraine has refrained from official commentary on the specific operation, consistent with its policy on such actions. These attacks reflect Kyiv's strategy to target Russian infrastructure in response to ongoing Russian assaults, while Moscow has frequently imposed temporary airspace restrictions since initiating its full-scale invasion in 2022, often leading to widespread travel chaos.

In a related development earlier that day, the governor of Russia's Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, reported a separate drone strike on a civilian vehicle carrying a family, resulting in one death and injuries to two others, including a young child. Such incidents underscore the broadening scope of drone warfare affecting civilian areas on both sides.

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