Moscow, 18:00 local time: 171 flights have been scrapped, 56 flights face delays exceeding two hours, as per reports from RSA
In an unexpected turn of events, major Russian airports such as Sheremetyevo (Moscow), Pulkovo (St. Petersburg), and Nizhny Novgorod experienced a wave of cancellations and delays on July 6, 2025, around 6:00 PM Moscow time. The disruptions were primarily due to restrictions imposed to ensure flight safety amid ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks and adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds.
At Sheremetyevo Airport, the hub of Moscow's air traffic, 171 flights were cancelled, and 56 were delayed. Over 15,000 passengers were affected, with many preparing for their journeys, only to find their flights grounded. Terminal B, however, was scheduled to depart 65 flights, albeit with delays for 56 of them by more than two hours.
In a similar vein, Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg saw 90 flights cancelled and 37 delayed by more than two hours. Notably, airports in St. Petersburg besides Pulkovo, as well as in Ivanovo, Kaluga, Tambov, and Pskov, temporarily suspended flight operations altogether.
Nizhny Novgorod’s Chkalov (Strigino) Airport also felt the brunt of these disruptions, with 26 flights cancelled and 13 delayed.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported shooting down around 120 drones overnight between July 5 and 6, with six drones confirmed shot down near the capital, Moscow. Reports also suggested drone intercepts near St. Petersburg and Kaluga.
Despite the chaos, authorities maintained that the situation remains under control, and airlines have sufficient resources to manage the difficult conditions. Passengers faced long queues and operational challenges, but the authorities assured that they were doing everything possible to ensure safety and minimise inconvenience.
In summary, the mass cancellations and delays were caused by heightened security measures reacting to a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian airspace, coupled with unfavourable weather, which together forced extensive restrictions on flight operations to maintain safety. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
[1] https://www.example.com/news/russian-airport-cancellations-and-delays [2] https://www.example.com/news/ukrainian-drone-attacks-disrupt-russian-airports [3] https://www.example.com/news/russian-airport-chaos-due-to-weather-and-security-concerns [4] https://www.example.com/news/drone-intercepts-near-moscow-st-petersburg-and-kaluga-airports
Travelers planning their journeys on July 6, 2025, at Sheremetyevo Airport, Moscow, should note that the weather and ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks led to 171 flight cancellations and 56 delays, affecting over 15,000 passengers. Similarly, Pulkovo Airport, St. Petersburg, experienced 90 flight cancellations and 37 delays due to these factors.
