Airspace closures around Moscow and central Russia set to last until war’s end, with exceptions
Photo: aircraft in airspace (Getty Images)
In early June, Russia plans to almost completely close the airspace over Moscow to civil aviation. The restrictions will affect flights at altitudes of up to 5,100 meters, according to the Interregional Public Organization of Pilots and Aircraft Owners (AOPA).
The restrictions will cover a significant part of the airspace around the Russian capital. To the west, the no-fly zone will border Belarus and the airspace of Saint Petersburg; to the northeast — the Yekaterinburg area; and to the east and southeast — Samara.
At the same time, Russia has introduced a number of exceptions. The ban will not apply to scheduled and charter passenger flights operating to and from airports.
Flights for medical evacuation, air ambulance services, aerial chemical works, pipeline and power line monitoring, as well as flights under state contracts, will also be permitted.
The AOPA clarified that an official NOTAM with detailed restrictions is expected to be published in the near future.
On the night of May 17, Moscow and the Moscow region experienced one of the largest drone attacks.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense stated that the Defense Forces struck the Moscow oil refinery, the Solnechnogorsk fuel depot, and several enterprises involved in producing microelectronics for Russia’s military-industrial complex.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) also confirmed strikes on the Volodarskoye oil pumping station and the Angstrem plant, which produces semiconductors for Russia’s defence industry.
