Russia is set to introduce widespread restrictions on civil aviation flights
This has been reported by the Interregional Public Organisation of Pilots and Aircraft Owners (AOPA).
Under the new rules, civil aviation will be prohibited from flying below 5,100 metres within the Moscow airspace. The restrictions cover areas stretching from St Petersburg and the border with Belarus to Yekaterinburg, Samara and the southern regions of the Russian Federation.
At the same time, exceptions are provided for scheduled and charter passenger flights, medical aviation, aerial spraying operations and flights under state contracts.
Sergei Ryabchinsky, director of the Chkalov Central Aeroclub of the DOSAAF, told Radio Liberty’s Russian service that the tightening of the rules could be linked to regular drone attacks on Moscow and other Russian regions.
Aviation circles also suggest that the crash of a light aircraft near Kolomna in March 2026 may have been an additional factor in the introduction of the restrictions. At the time, Russian media reported that air defence forces, whilst repelling a drone attack, may have mistakenly shot down the aircraft of aviation blogger Pavel Koshkin. The official results of the investigation into the incident have not yet been made public.
It should be recalled that it was previously reported that, in early 2026, Russians were increasingly being issued with ‘mobilisation orders’, which may indicate that the Russian Federation is preparing for a general mobilisation.
Follow us on Telegram
