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Russian Anti-Aircraft Units Down Drones in Moscow, Other Regions
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 23, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
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Quick Summary
Russian forces intercepted 33 drones targeting Moscow and Crimea, affecting flights and regional security. No casualties reported.
Russian Forces Intercept 33 Drones Aimed at Moscow and Crimea
Drone Interceptions in Moscow and Crimea
(Reuters) -Russian anti-aircraft units between Monday night and Tuesday morning downed 33 Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow as well as dozens more in Russian-held Crimea and other parts of western Russia, officials said.
Impact on Flights at Sheremetyevo Airport
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, in posts on the Telegram messaging app, said the drones were destroyed en route to the city over a period of about twelve hours. Experts were examining debris on the ground, he said.
Responses from Regional Governors
Flights were delayed and cancelled at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, Russia's largest by passenger numbers. Russian national carrier, Aeroflot, said it planned to fully resume normal operations at the airport by the end of Tuesday.
Russia's Defence Ministry said on Telegram that its anti-aircraft units had destroyed 81 Ukrainian drones, by midnight local time (2100 GMT), and another 69 between midnight and 0700 local time (0400 GMT).
Reuters was unable to independently verify the reports.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the governor of the port of Sevastopol in Crimea, home of Russia's Black Sea fleet, said anti-aircraft units had destroyed at least six drones near the port. Falling debris had triggered a fire on open ground, but this was extinguished.
The governor of Tula region in central Russia, Dmitry Milyayev, said three drones were downed with no damage or casualties.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, said that parents should keep their children at home, and that two shopping centres in the region were being temporarily closed.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Stephen Coates and Sharon Singleton)
Key Takeaways
- •33 Ukrainian drones intercepted en route to Moscow.
- •Flights delayed at Sheremetyevo Airport due to drone activity.
- •81 drones destroyed by Russian anti-aircraft units overnight.
- •Debris from drones caused minor fires in Crimea.
- •Regional governors report no casualties from drone interceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Russian anti-aircraft units down drones in Moscow, other regions
1How many drones were intercepted by Russian forces?
Russian anti-aircraft units downed 33 Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow, along with dozens more in Crimea and other regions.
2What was the impact on flights in Moscow?
Flights were delayed and cancelled at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, Russia's largest by passenger numbers, due to the drone interceptions.
3What did local governors report regarding the drone incidents?
Governors from regions like Sevastopol and Tula reported that several drones were downed with no significant damage or casualties.
4Did Reuters verify the reports of drone interceptions?
Reuters was unable to independently verify the reports regarding the number of drones intercepted.
5What precautions were advised by local authorities?
The governor of Belgorod region advised parents to keep their children at home due to the drone threats in the area.