Airports Of Vladikavkaz, Grozny Closed In Russia

• 9.04.2025, 8:54

Due to the drone attack at the Mozdok aerodrome.

On the night of Wednesday, 9 April, Russia closed the airports of Vladikavkaz and Grozny, the capitals of the North Caucasus republics of North Ossetia and Chechnya. Russians claim a drone attack at the military airfield in Mozdok.

The BBC, citing Rosaviatsia, reported that temporary restrictions on aircraft taking off and landing at the aerodromes were imposed minutes before 02:00 Moscow time. The restrictions were cancelled around 07:00.

The head of North Ossetia, Sergei Menyailo, says a UAV attack has been ‘repelled’ in Mozdok district.

He claims there are no casualties or damage. At the same time, Menyailo noted that North Ossetia ‘has a drone danger regime in place.’

The Russian defence ministry said air defence had ‘destroyed’ 158 drones, 15 of them over North Ossetia's territory. Russians traditionally blame Ukraine for the attack.

Russian Telegram channel ASTRA writes with reference to local residents that it was the military airport in Mozdok that was attacked by the drones. The consequences are not yet known.

The public page reports that it geolocated photos with smoke after the UAV attack and came to the conclusion that they were taken near the building of the district palace of culture. This is about six kilometres from the airbase.

The Mozdok airfield in North Ossetia of the Russian Federation has already been attacked by drones in June 2024. At that time, some combat aircraft disappeared from the airbase's car park.

North Ossetia is located about 1,000 kilometres from the borders of Ukraine. A military airfield of the Russian Air Force is located in the north-west of the town of Mozdok. Russia often lifts MiG-31K fighter jets from this airfield, which launch Kinzhal missiles at Ukraine.