At least 60,000 passengers have been stranded at airports across Russia because of a massive Ukrainian drone attack, local officials say.
Russia’s Association of tour operators (Ator) says 350 flights have been affected since Tuesday evening in Moscow, St Petersburg, Sochi and several other cities.
The Russian defence ministry says 524 Ukrainian drones were destroyed in the past 24 hours – a record number if confirmed. No casualties were reported.
Ukraine says an overnight Russian drone and missile attack killed two people in Kyiv.
The barrage of strikes came as a self-declared Russian three-day ceasefire was set to begin on Wednesday night, ahead of a World War Two victory parade in Moscow on 9 May.
Kyiv has repeatedly rejected the truce idea as “theatrical play”, reiterating its call for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which is also supported by Ukraine’s allies in Europe and the US.
Russia has issued a set of tough pre-conditions for any possible settlement – a move described by Ukraine and many European politicians as an attempt to prolong the fighting and eventually force Kyiv to capitulate.
On Wednesday, US Vice-President JD Vance said “we think they [Russians] are asking for too much”, in an apparent hardening of his stance towards Moscow.
“It’s very important for the Russians and the Ukrainians to start talking to one another,” Vance added.
He also took a far less strident tone towards Europe than he has in recent months, saying “I do still very much think the US and Europe are on the same team”.
Three airports serving Moscow – Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo – suffered disruption, according to Russia’s tour operators association, which added that 110 flights had been cancelled in the capital.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 19 drones had been shot down near the city since Tuesday evening.
In St Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city, 55 flights were either cancelled or delayed.
At the city’s Pulkovo airport, footage emerged of a queue of planes stuck on the runway on arrival. Passengers reportedly waited for hours to leave.
Airports at several other cities including Sochi, Kazan, Kirov and Nizhnekamsk also reported flight disruption.
Russia’s air traffic problems came as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow for Friday’s military parade in Red Square commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. Source: bbc
