Tatarstan Airports Face Temporary Shutdown Amid Drone Threat

Russia's aviation authority imposed temporary flight restrictions at Kazan and Nizhnekamsk airports in Tatarstan due to a nearby Ukrainian drone downed by the Defence Ministry. Operations resumed after approximately two and half hours. This follows a prior incident in April where a Ukrainian drone struck an oil refinery in the region.

Russia's aviation authority imposed restrictions on flights in and out of two airports in the Volga river region of Tatarstan for several hours on Thursday, while the Defence Ministry reported downing a Ukrainian drone nearby.

In statements published on the Telegram messaging app, Russia's aviation watchdog said that Kazan and Nizhnekamsk airports had suspended flights, and later reported their reopening around two and half hours later. Russia's Defence Ministry said it had downed a Ukrainian drone in the Yelabuga district, close to Nizhnekamsk.

In April, a Ukrainian drone struck

Russia's third-largest oil refinery in Tatarstan, about 1,300 km (800 miles) from the front lines of the war.