Southern Russian Airports Resume Normal Operations After Drone Incident

Flights across southern Russia are back on schedule after a brief disruption caused by a drone strike on an aviation navigation facility. The Ministry of Transport confirmed on Saturday that operations at 13 airports in the region have largely returned to normal, with departures and arrivals now following adjusted timetables.

The trouble began on Friday when Ukrainian drones struck an administrative building belonging to the 'Aeronavigation of Southern Russia' branch in Rostov-on-Don. The incident forced authorities to temporarily halt all flights from the affected airports, stranding passengers and causing a ripple of delays across the country.

By late Friday afternoon, the Ministry announced a partial resumption of services between southern airports and other hubs. By Saturday morning, the situation had improved further. 'As of 11:00 AM Moscow time on May 9, 2026, flights to and from airports in the Rostov zone are operating normally, though travelers should check their schedules for any last-minute adjustments,' the ministry stated on its Telegram channel.

The quick recovery underscores the resilience of Russia's aviation network, even as regional security concerns persist. Passengers are advised to confirm flight times with their airlines before heading to the airport, as some residual delays may continue throughout the day.