Russia’s Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg temporarily suspended all flight operations from 7:45 a.m. (0445 GMT) on Saturday in order to safeguard civilian air traffic, according to the country’s aviation regulator, Rosaviatsia.
It did not specify a reason for the decision to halt flights, but Russian airports have previously closed due to risk of Ukrainian drone strikes in the area.
Alexander Drozdenko, Governor of the northern Leningrad region that includes St Petersburg, said that Russian forces had shot down two drones near Luga Bay in the Gulf of Finland.
“The airport is temporarily not accepting or dispatching flights,” a Rosaviatsia representative wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
“Aircraft crews, air traffic controllers and airport services are taking all necessary measures to ensure flight safety – this is the top priority.”
The temporary suspension of operations at the St. Petersburg airport is not an isolated incident in Russia.
Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, flight operations in several Russian airports have faced disruptions due to the escalating risks posed by Ukrainian drone strikes.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, Ukrainian forces have increasingly used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to target key infrastructure within Russian territory, including airports.
These strikes have primarily targeted airports in regions such as Crimea and the southern parts of Russia, to disrupt military logistics and supplies while signalling the vulnerabilities of Russia’s aviation infrastructure.
In response to these threats, Russian authorities have occasionally closed airports or re-routed air traffic to minimize the risks of drone attacks.
These closures have had a ripple effect, not just on commercial flights but also on military and cargo operations that are vital to Russia’s war efforts.
Major hubs such as Sochi International Airport and other airports in proximity to conflict zones have been particularly affected.
Temporary suspensions in air traffic are becoming a common occurrence.
The increased use of drones in warfare has reshaped how airports in Russia handle security.
Airports have enhanced their defence systems, deploying anti-drone measures and surveillance equipment to counter these threats.
The unpredictability and sophistication of drone strikes have forced many airports to frequently re-evaluate their security protocols.
(With inputs from Reuters)
