Moscow’s skies were thrown into chaos for the third day in a row on Wednesday as drones linked to Ukraine kept flying near the city. Russian officials were forced to shut down airports. Over 350 flights were delayed or rerouted. More than 60,000 passengers were stuck at airports or left waiting inside planes.

The Russian air transport agency warned that these problems could continue across central Russia. In Moscow, airport staff worked long hours trying to handle the backup of planes and people. Several airlines had to cancel trips with little notice.

Tour groups and business travelers both faced long delays. Some planes sat on the runway for hours with no takeoff clearance. One traveler told local media, “We boarded at 9 a.m. and didn’t leave until 4 p.m.”

Russian authorities reported that they had shot down several drones in the area, including near the Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Sheremetyevo airports.

Local Media Calls It a Total Collapse

News outlets in Russia described the delays as one of the worst air traffic disasters in recent memory. “It’s like everything just froze,” said one pilot. “We’ve had flight delays before, but nothing like this.”

Photos and videos on social media showed packed terminals, crying children, and long lines of travelers trying to rebook flights. Some passengers said they were not given any updates for hours.

A spokesperson for Russia’s air transport agency said, “The situation is difficult. We are taking steps to ensure safety first.”

While Russian officials blamed Ukraine for the drone attacks, Ukrainian leaders did not comment directly. However, the Kyiv government has said in the past that striking targets deep inside Russia is part of their defense strategy.

Leaders Blocked from Entering Russian Airspace

The drone attacks did more than delay passengers. They also changed the travel plans of foreign leaders. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić had planned to fly to Moscow to attend the Victory Day military parade. But due to the airspace closures, his plane had to land in Baku, Azerbaijan, instead.

Serbian media blamed “active hostilities” for the sudden route change. A statement from Vučić’s office said the decision was made to ensure his safety.

Other leaders were also affected. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico and Vučić both faced airspace bans from EU countries like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. These countries said they did not want to support any part of Russia’s Victory Day events.

Estonia’s Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, said clearly, “We will not allow war propaganda to fly through our skies.”

Putin Declares Ceasefire Ahead of Victory Day

In response to the tense situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a ceasefire. The pause in fighting was to start at midnight on May 8 and end at midnight on May 11. He said it would help protect events related to Victory Day, a key national holiday in Russia.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asked Ukraine to honor the ceasefire too. “We hope this short pause can show the world our commitment to peace,” he said.

But Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly dismissed the offer. He said the ceasefire was not real and was meant to make Russia look better in the eyes of the world.

“This is not about peace,” Zelenskyy said. “It’s about changing the story. We cannot protect anyone who attends these events in Russia.”

Missile Strikes Continue Despite Truce

Even as Russia claimed to pause attacks, missiles and drones hit Kyiv overnight. Ukraine said two civilians died. Eight more were injured, including four children. The damage included broken homes and fires in residential areas.

Local rescue workers rushed to help victims. One mother told reporters her family was sleeping when the missile struck nearby. “We woke up to the sound of glass breaking,” she said. “It was terrifying.”

Ukraine’s military also confirmed it had shot down several incoming drones and missiles. Air raid sirens rang out across the country in the early morning.

Air Travel in Crisis

Experts say the drone attacks could change how airlines operate in the region. “We’re seeing a breakdown in trust in the skies,” said a European aviation analyst. “No one wants to fly into a war zone, even if it’s just near the edge.”

For now, Russian airports remain on high alert. Extra security has been added. Flight crews are being warned to prepare for delays.

The drone strikes also raise big questions about air safety and defense systems. Russia has one of the largest air defense networks in the world, yet drones keep slipping through.

As of Thursday, no one knows when air travel will return to normal in Moscow. Until then, passengers should expect delays, and foreign leaders may keep their distance from Russian airspace.