Rescuers work at the site of a drone attack in the village of Stanovoye, Moscow region, on Sunday, November 10, 2024. Russia's defence ministry said on November 10, 2024 that it had downed 70 Ukrainian drones over six regions, including 34 over the region around the Russian capital Moscow. - AFP
MOSCOW, Nov 10 (Bernama-Xinhua-dpa): Aviation authorities temporarily closed Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Sheremetyevo international airports in the Moscow region on Sunday due to potential risks of drone attacks.
"In order to ensure the safety of civil aircraft flights, temporary restrictions have been introduced for the operation of Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports starting from 08.03 Moscow time, Nov 10. The airports are temporarily not accepting or sending flights," the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency said in a statement.
Sheremetyevo International Airport was later shut down, too.
Aircraft crews, air traffic controllers, and airport services are taking all necessary measures to ensure flight safety is a top priority, according to the statement.
According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, seven more drones were shot down in the regions of Domodedovo, Ramenskoye and Kolomna on Sunday morning, bringing the total number of downed drones to 32.
Earlier it was reported that two houses have caught fire in Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow, according to regional governor Andrej Vorobiev.
The houses were hit by falling debris after the drones were shot down, Vorobiev wrote on Telegram.
In the village of Stanovoye, southeast of Moscow, a 52-year-old woman sustained burn injuries to her neck, face and hands, and was taken to hospital, Vorobiev added.
He described the incident as a mass drone attack. Burning houses were visible in videos on social networks.
By 10 am (0700 GMT), Moscow had repelled 23 drones, mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.
The most affected areas in the region around the capital were Ramenskoye, Domodedovo and Kolomna, he added, noting that the air defences were still in operation. - Bernama-Xinhua-dpa
