Moscow region hit by explosions, blackout strikes rural area
Rescuers dispatched to the site of falling debris (Photo: Getty Images)
During the night of July 17, explosions were heard in the Moscow region. Unidentified drones were reportedly flying toward Moscow, according to Russian Telegram channels.
According to SHOT, explosions were heard near the villages of Lytkyno and Bakeyevo in the Solnechnogorsk urban district.
Additionally, loud explosions were reported in the area of Zelenograd, where residents saw bright flashes in the sky.
It is also claimed that the village of Alabushevo experienced power outages.
Meanwhile, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that air defense systems allegedly shot down two unidentified drones heading toward Moscow. Shortly afterward, he announced the destruction of another one.
"Another drone flying toward Moscow has been destroyed by the Defense Ministry's air defense systems. Emergency services are working at the site where debris fell," he wrote.
At the same time, public Telegram channels reported that Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport declared Carpet alert regime. As a result, both departing and arriving flights were temporarily canceled.
Airport disruptions due to drone threats
On July 5 and 6, airports in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities experienced widespread and prolonged shutdowns.
Amid the threat of attacks by unidentified drones, hundreds of flights were canceled on those days.
Soon after, Russian media reported that as a result of the large-scale disruptions at three of Russia’s major airports, airlines could have lost over $250 million.
