Russia has temporarily suspended the operation of 13 airports across its south after Ukrainian drones struck the administrative building of the "Aeronavigation of Southern Russia" branch in Rostov-on-Don, the Russian Ministry of Transport reported on Telegram.
"The work of the regional center in Rostov-on-Don, which manages air traffic in the South of Russia, has been temporarily adjusted due to Ukrainian UAVs hitting the administrative building of the 'Aeronavigation of Southern Russia' branch," the ministry stated.
According to the ministry, an analysis of equipment functionality is underway, and air traffic management technologies across southern Russia are being adjusted accordingly.
The 13 airports affected
The Transport Ministry listed the suspended airports as Astrakhan, Vladikavkaz, Volgograd, Gelendzhik, Grozny, Krasnodar, Makhachkala, Magas, Mineralnye Vody, Nalchik, Sochi, Stavropol, and Elista.
"Information on further airport operations will be updated at 11:00 Moscow time," the ministry added.
The ministry and Rosaviatsiya are coordinating with airlines and airports to adjust flight schedules.
Rostov-on-Don mayor Alexander Skryabin said he had convened an emergency meeting of the city's commission for emergency situations. According to Skryabin, the commission decided to "introduce a state of emergency within the Zheleznodorozhny district, where damage was inflicted after the drone fell."
Passenger and flight disruption
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) reported that, as of 10 am Moscow time, more than 80 flights had been delayed or cancelled at southern Russian airports.
"At least 14,000 passengers are waiting to depart. This mainly concerns flights within Russia. The most difficult situation is in Sochi, where new restrictions overlapped with massive schedule disruptions of the past two days," ATOR stated.
According to the association, 13 international flights from Sochi, Mineralnye Vody, Krasnodar, Makhachkala, and Vladikavkaz have already been cancelled or delayed. The disruption affects around 3,000 tourists and will trigger "mirror" schedule failures for return flights from foreign airports back to Russia.
Background
On 8 May, explosions were reported in the Russian city of Yaroslavl, followed by a fire at an oil refinery. Moscow and Rostov-on-Don also came under attack.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine's Armed Forces had carried out "long-range sanctions" on an oil facility in Yaroslavl.
