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Russia Plans Major Civil Aviation Restrictions Over Moscow Region Following Drone Attacks
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Russia plans to impose sweeping restrictions on civilian aviation over the Moscow region in early June, temporarily closing much of the airspace around the capital for flights operating below 5,100 meters, according to the Interregional Public Organization of Pilots and Aircraft Owners (AOPA).
In it’s statement on May 25, AOPA said civilian aircraft flights within the Moscow flight information region would be “completely prohibited” at altitudes ranging from ground level up to 5,100 meters.
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The restrictions are expected to affect a vast section of airspace surrounding Moscow. According to the organization, the restricted zone will extend westward toward the Belarusian border and the airspace near St. Petersburg, northeast toward the Yekaterinburg region, and east and southeast toward Samara.
Despite the broad limitations, Russian authorities reportedly plan to exempt several categories of flights from the restrictions.
Regular and charter passenger flights operating to and from airports will continue to be permitted. Exceptions will also apply to medical evacuation and санитар aviation flights, aviation-chemical operations, monitoring flights for pipelines and power lines, as well as flights carried out under state contracts.
AOPA stated that an official NOTAM notice detailing the restrictions and operational procedures is expected to be published in the coming days.
The announcement comes as Russia experienced one of the largest drone attacks since the start of the full-scale war, when hundreds of Ukrainian strike drones targeted facilities linked to the defense industry, fuel logistics, and microelectronics production across multiple Russian regions.
Reports from Russian media and open-source monitoring groups indicated that a number of sites associated with Russia’s military-industrial complex and fuel infrastructure were struck during the attack.
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Nearly 600 drones were reportedly involved in the operation, which targeted areas around Moscow as well as strategic industrial facilities deeper inside Russia.
Moreover, Russia’s network of direct international flights is expected to contract sharply during the summer 2026 travel season as the country continues to face the impact of sanctions, drone strikes, fuel supply problems, and growing instability in the Middle East.
According to the reports, Russian travelers are expected to have nonstop air connections to no more than 32 countries this summer.
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