Armenian PM’s plane diverted from Moscow amid massive drone attack
Photo: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (Getty Images)
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's plane was unable to land in Moscow due to closed airspace amid a massive drone attack. The plane diverted to an alternate airport, according to Russian media.
Pashinyan's ACJ319 circled over the Tver region for almost an hour, waiting for permission to land, but never received it. As a result, the plane was sent to Pulkovo (St. Petersburg - ed.), where it landed at around 1 a.m.
The Armenian Prime Minister was flying to Moscow after a visit to Germany and planned to attend a meeting of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council.
Attack on Moscow
On the night of December 11, Russia was massively struck with drones, with drones also flying towards Moscow. From the evening of December 10 to the morning of the 11th, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported on the alleged downing of drones over the Russian capital and counted a total of 32 drones. He traditionally remained silent about the real consequences, stating only that debris had fallen.
Due to airspace restrictions, Russia's Aeroflot announced the postponement and cancellation of some flights.
Four Moscow airports — Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky — took turns imposing restrictions.
According to Russian media reports, more than 170 flights were delayed at Moscow airports on the night of December 11.
A significant number of planes were redirected to Pulkovo Airport. Two international flights circled over the Vladimir region for almost an hour and a half: one plane was sent to St. Petersburg, while the other remained waiting for a window in the air.
Meanwhile, at Vnukovo, passengers spent the night in the terminal, laying out sleeping mats and boxes and occupying benches.
