Southern Russian airports suspend operations after drone hits Rostov-on-Don control centre
Updated
Updated · The Moscow Times · May 8
Southern Russian airports suspend operations after drone hits Rostov-on-Don control centre
10 articles · Updated · The Moscow Times · May 8
At least 14,000 passengers were stranded as airports including Sochi, Krasnodar and Volgograd halted flights, while Aeroflot, Pobeda, Nordwind and Rossiya revised schedules.
Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin told major airlines to work with Russian Railways and bus operators to move passengers after the regional air traffic control centre stopped working.
Rosaviatsia briefly warned disruption could last until May 12 before withdrawing the notice, as Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating Moscow's unilateral May 8-10 ceasefire.
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How will targeting air traffic control redefine the legal boundaries of modern warfare?
How Ukraine’s May 8, 2026 Drone Attack Paralyzed Russia’s Southern Air Traffic Control Network
Overview
On May 8, 2026, a Ukrainian drone strike hit the Rostov-on-Don air traffic control center, disrupting operations at 13 southern Russian airports and causing the temporary closure of Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. This led to the cancellation or delay of at least 80 flights, stranding around 14,000 passengers and triggering emergency responses including alternative transport arrangements. The strike occurred amid ongoing Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and during a fragile ceasefire period that Russia ignored, prompting Ukraine's retaliatory action. Russia responded by scaling back Victory Day celebrations, placing Moscow on high alert, and threatening massive retaliation, while international calls for de-escalation intensified. The event exposed critical vulnerabilities in Russia's infrastructure and marked a significant escalation in drone warfare within the conflict.