Drone threat grounds Pulkovo Airport flights, causing nationwide chaos
St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport faced major disruptions after temporary flight restrictions were imposed. The measures led to cancellations, delays, and knock-on effects at other Russian airports, including Ukhta in the Komi region. The issues began late on 22 March 2026, following reported drone threats.
The restrictions at Pulkovo caused immediate chaos. A total of 48 flights were canceled, while over 50 others were delayed by more than two hours. Among the affected services, 18 departures and arrivals were scrapped entirely. A Utair flight due to leave at 7:00 p.m. was called off, and a Severstal Airlines trip to Moscow was pushed back to 12:40 p.m.
The problems spread beyond St. Petersburg. At Ukhta Airport, flights to the city saw delays—one Severstal Airlines service from Moscow, originally set for 11:00 a.m., was rescheduled to 11:30 a.m. and later to 12:30 p.m. Another Severstal flight to St. Petersburg was moved to 5:20 p.m. A Utair flight at Ukhta was also canceled, and one incoming Severstal service from Moscow arrived late. Additionally, a flight bound for St. Petersburg was diverted to Cherepovets due to the ongoing restrictions. The restrictions at Pulkovo were lifted by 9:11 a.m. on 23 March, easing some pressure. Unlike Pulkovo, Ukhta did not report infrastructure damage, and delays there lasted only a few hours. Other Russian airports, such as Krasnoyarsk, faced unrelated issues—like a 45-hour delay in late February—while Moscow-Komi routes had earlier weather-related cancellations.
The drone-related shutdown at Pulkovo led to 48 canceled flights and over 50 delays, creating a ripple effect across the network. Ukhta Airport experienced minor disruptions, with rescheduled flights and one diversion, but avoided the severe operational halt seen in St. Petersburg. Normal operations resumed once restrictions were removed by mid-morning on 23 March.
