Russia Closes Airspace Over Moscow to Small Aircraft Until “End of War”

Russia is preparing to close airspace over central regions to civilian aviation.

This was reported by the Russian Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (RAOPA).

According to available information, in early June, the Moscow airspace is set to completely ban civilian aircraft flights at altitudes ranging from 0 to 5,100 meters.

The restricted zone will cover territories from the state border with Belarus in the west to the St. Petersburg airspace in the north and the Yekaterinburg airspace in the northeast.

The restrictions will also extend to the eastern and southeastern areas of the Samara airspace.

At the same time, the ban will not apply to scheduled and charter passenger flights, medical and evacuation flights, aerial chemical operations, monitoring of pipelines and power lines, or flights conducted under government contracts.

The official publication of a NOTAM with the relevant restrictions is expected shortly.

According to the AOPA, the restrictions will remain in effect until the end of hostilities.

The introduction of these measures is likely linked to the growing number of Ukrainian kamikaze drones, which are penetrating deeper and deeper into central regions of Russia, including the most heavily defended areas around Moscow.

During such attacks, Russian air defense forces often mistakenly intercept and shoot down civilian light aircraft.

One such incident occurred on March 20 in Kolomna, near Moscow.