An unprecedented series of drone attacks against Russian airports caused a massive transport collapse, which put the security of the aggressor's air infrastructure in question. According to official data from Rosaviatsiya, within just two days, extremely serious air traffic violations were registered.
The statistics speak volumes: 485 flights were definitively canceled, while nearly 1,900 suffered significant delays. An additional blow was the rerouting of 88 aircraft to alternative airport sites, which further complicated the logistical situation.
The epicenter of the crisis was the strategically important air gates of Pulkovo and Sheremetyevo, which bore the most serious consequences of the Ukrainian operation. Passengers were forced to wait for hours, and numerous flights were terminated at the last possible moment.
The Russian military department tried to present the situation as under control, reporting the interception of 120 drones during the critical night between July 5 and 6. Despite their claims, the attacks continued to destabilize air traffic.
The political reaction was immediate - President Vladimir Putin made personnel changes, dismissing Transport Minister Roman Starovoit. This move is seen as an attempt to contain the growing crisis.
The Ukrainian drone campaign demonstrated an exceptional ability to cause strategic disruptions far from active combat zones, inflicting damages of over 250 million dollars on Russian airlines.