Airport Collapses in Russia: Passengers Awaiting Departure Stranded on Tarmac
The Russian air transport system is grappling with severe delays and cancellations at key airports, including Sheremetyevo (Moscow), Pulkovo (St. Petersburg), and Nizhny Novgorod's Chkalov (Strigino), following a surge in Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian airspace. Between July 5 and 7, 2025, over two thousand flights were either delayed or canceled, causing significant inconvenience to passengers [1][3].
The disruptions are a result of unmanned aerial vehicle incursions that have led to safety suspensions of airport operations, with authorities imposing strict restrictions to minimize risk [1][2][3]. On July 6 alone, 287 flights were canceled and 106 delayed due to these drone disruptions, affecting both domestic and international routes [2].
The impact on the three major airports is substantial. Sheremetyevo, for instance, saw 171 flight cancellations and 56 delays, while Pulkovo recorded 90 cancellations and 37 delays, and Chkalov/Strigino reported 26 cancellations and 13 delays [1].
This has led to numerous passenger hardships, with 94,000 people requiring hotel accommodations and airlines issuing 43,000 forced ticket refunds in just two days [1]. In response, some passengers have shared positive videos of themselves playing the accordion and singing while waiting for their flights, creating a unique atmosphere of camaraderie amidst the chaos.
However, social media posts show crowded terminal corridors and large crowds on airport stairs, indicating the scale of the disruption. Additionally, queues have been observed only in the registration areas of terminal C, and there may be issues with baggage collection in Pulkovo due to overloaded delivery systems.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting over 120 drones between the nights of July 5 and 6, emphasizing the scale of the aerial threat. The attacks are part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to disrupt Russian logistics deep behind front lines, with aviation infrastructure increasingly caught in the crossfire [3].
Financially, these disruptions have inflicted heavy costs on airlines, estimated at tens of billions of rubles within days, including 3.9-5.9 billion rubles lost in the first 24 hours alone [1]. The "Kommersant" newspaper estimates that Russian airport losses due to drone attacks could reach around ₽20 billion.
In St. Petersburg, the airport has introduced a paid smoking area, causing some conflict among passengers. On Monday, July 7, the number of delayed flights was approaching 200, with the total number of cancellations reaching 485 over the three-day period [1].
This situation represents one of the largest disruptions to Russian civil aviation since the Russia-Ukraine conflict intensified [1][2][3]. Passengers in Russian airports are facing challenging conditions, including waiting for flights for up to 12 hours, and many are sleeping on the floor due to long wait times. Despite these hardships, a spirit of resilience and unity can be seen among passengers, as they navigate through these trying times.
The disruptions in the Russian air transport system, caused by drone attacks, have extended to various aspects of travelers' lifestyles, including general-news about crime-and-justice as these attacks are part of a broader Ukrainian strategy. The ongoing unmanned aerial vehicle incursions have not only resulted in severe delays and cancellations at key airports but also financial implications for airlines and Russian airports, with losses potentially reaching tens of billions of rubles.
