Ukraine executed its largest drone strike on Moscow on March 11, 2025, leading to the closure of four major airports and over 230 flight delays. This incident underscores Ukraine’s expanding military capabilities amid ongoing conflict, resulting in casualties and significant disruptions in air travel. The event occurred during high-level discussions aimed at resolving the conflict while both sides maintain aggressive military postures.
In the early hours of Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Ukraine executed its most significant drone strike on Moscow, prompting the temporary closure of Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky airports. This incident resulted in over 230 flight delays, adversely affecting major airlines such as Aeroflot, Qatar Airways, China Eastern, and Emirates. The attack signals an escalation in Ukraine’s capability to conduct operations deep within Russian territory, leading to one of the most substantial disruptions in air travel since the onset of the conflict.
This drone strike occurred concurrently with a scheduled meeting between U.S. officials and a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia, focused on potential resolutions to the ongoing conflict. Additionally, Russian military strategies have intensified as they attempt to encircle Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, indicating continued hostilities.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that this drone strike was the largest ever executed by Ukraine against the capital. Historically, Moscow and its vicinity, containing over 21 million residents, have remained relatively insulated from the direct impacts of the war until now. Tragically, the attack resulted in casualties, including two employees of Miratorg, a major meat producer, and injured 18 individuals, including three children, while also damaging residential structures.
Following the attack, the functioning of the city resumed apace, with commuters heading to work as usual. Although the major airports experienced brief operational halts, they reopened soon after, albeit with some flights having to be rerouted to alternate locations. The disruption to air travel was significant, indicating the broader implications of the drone strike.
As Ukraine faces relentless missile and drone strikes from Russia, the conflict has evolved to include enhanced drone warfare capabilities from both sides. On the same day, Kyiv reported encountering 126 drones and a ballistic missile, illustrating the intense military exchanges currently occurring. Ukraine’s response includes increased drone strikes targeting Russian military infrastructures, such as oil refineries and airfields.
Both nations have made considerable investments in drone technology, utilizing commercial models as effective weapons and incorporating advanced electronic countermeasures into their tactics. This transformation in military strategy marks a new phase in the ongoing conflict, where modern technology plays a critical role.
In the aftermath of the drone strike, a senior Russian lawmaker proposed a retaliation strategy using the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, previously deployed against Ukraine. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin condemned the Ukrainian strikes as terrorist acts targeting civilian infrastructure, vowing a stern response.
The recent drone strike on Moscow marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, disrupting air travel and illustrating the advanced capabilities of Ukrainian military efforts. As both nations innovate in drone technology and tactics, the potential for further escalations remains high. The situation necessitates careful observation as geopolitical discussions continue alongside military actions.
Original Source: www.travelandtourworld.com
