Russia Forced to Close Airspace, Shut Down Internet Amid Drone Raids
Russia was forced to shut down internet access in parts of the Oryol region and restrict airspace after a large-scale Ukrainian drone assault overnight on Thursday.
Flights at Moscow's Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Sheremetyevo airports are severely disrupted, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. The airports have been operating intermittently since midday on Wednesday due to ongoing drone attacks, The Moscow Times reported.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment by email.
Ukraine has launched drones to attack several Russian regions for three days in a row. Thursday's attack was the largest since March, according to Russian government statements. The major disruptions highlight the severity of the attacks and come as President Donald Trump attempts to initiate peace talks aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
On Wednesday night, Ukraine's military launched what has been described as the largest drone assault on Russian territory since March.
Russia's Defense Ministry said at least 182 drones were intercepted across 11 regions, and Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said several dozen drones were shot down as they approached the city.
A total of 485 drones have been brought down by air defenses across Russia and in the occupied territories over the past 72 hours, according to a Russian defense ministry statement on Thursday.
In the Oryol region, mobile internet was temporarily shut down. Regional governor Andrei Klychkov said the order came from the Russian army, as more than 20 Ukrainian drones were shot down over overnight.
"The decision is not easy, but it is necessary," the governor said on his Telegram channel as he asked for "understanding."
On Wednesday, internet was also shut down in the Tula and Vladimir regions due to drone attacks.
"Friends, this is not the first time we have encountered restrictions on mobile Internet. Today, the situation has repeated itself...Safety is most important. I ask you to treat such measures with understanding," Tula region governor Dmitry Milyaev wrote on his Telegram channel.
"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank citizens for their understanding. We remind you that protecting the lives and health of the population remains our top priority," the Vladimir regional government said.
Military expert and retired Russian colonel Anatoly Matviych told local publication Lenta that disabling mobile internet during drone attacks means that drones "lose the ability to position themselves and strike residential buildings and infrastructure" and as a result "they simply get lost."
Andrei Klychkov, governor of Oryol region, said on Telegram, announcing an internet shut down: "The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have made a decision to introduce temporary restrictions on the operation of mobile internet and the provision of communication services in the region.
"This is not an easy decision, but it is necessary. Please treat it with understanding - ensuring the safety of residents, businesses and infrastructure is most important."
President Donald Trump has said direct talks between Russia and Ukraine are due to resume, "immediately". But the Kremlin has said "there are no deadlines and there cannot be any."
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