On Thursday, Russian authorities ordered the closure of all four major Moscow airports, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky and Kaluga, along with an additional airport near the city.
The closures, attributed to “unspecified safety concerns,” sparked immediate speculation, especially amid reports that Russian air defense systems might be responsible for the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan.
Drone Attacks and Heightened Tensions:
- This incident comes amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions, with Ukraine launching a series of drone attacks on Russian territory.
- Air raid sirens sounded in several regions, including Oryol, Sevastopol, and Taganrog.
- Russian air defenses intercepted several Ukrainian missiles, including two in the Kursk region.
Airport Reopenings and Speculation:
- All five airports were reopened shortly after the closures.
- Suspicions arose regarding the involvement of Russian air defenses in the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight near Grozny.
- Aviation security expert Matthew Borie suggested that a Russian anti-missile system may have mistakenly downed the plane.
Ongoing Energy Crisis:
- This incident follows a recent Russian attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving many Ukrainians without heat or power during the Christmas season.
