Moscow Airports Resume Operations After Russia Lifts Temporary Restrictions

Russia’s aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, lifted temporary restrictions on four Moscow airports after they were closed without clear reasons on Thursday, according to Reuters. The agency clarified that the closures were a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of civil aviation. “Aircraft crews, air traffic controllers and airport services have taken all necessary measures to ensure flight safety – this is the main priority,” Rosaviatsia stated.

The airport shutdowns occurred shortly after Russia accused Ukrainian security services of orchestrating 55 arson and bomb attacks on various locations, including banks, post offices, and police cars. The Russian interior ministry reported that 44 suspects had been arrested, including many elderly individuals and minors, allegedly seeking easy money. The ministry also claimed to have foiled several assassination attempts by Ukrainian intelligence against high-ranking Russian military officers and their families, using bombs disguised as power banks or document folders.

Additionally, Russia is facing allegations that one of its air-defense systems may have been involved in the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, which killed 38 people. Four sources familiar with the investigation indicated that the crash was caused by a Russian air defense system.