Ukraine Drone Strikes Prompt Russian Airport Closures, Refinery Fires

Ukraine Drone Strikes Prompt Russian Airport Closures, Refinery Fires

May 9, 2026 — Overnight on May 8, Ukraine initiated multiple drone attacks across several Russian regions, prompting the closure of numerous airports, disruptions to air traffic control, and fires at oil refining facilities. The strikes targeted locations including Grozny, Rostov-on-Don, Yaroslavl, Perm, and near Moscow.

Airport Operations Disrupted

The drone activity led to the closure of 13 airports across southern Russia. Facilities affected included those in Astrakhan, Vladikavkaz, Volgograd, Gelendzhik, Grozny, Krasnodar, Makhachkala, Magas, Mineralnye Vody, Nalchik, Sochi, Stavropol, and Elista. Russia’s Transport Ministry confirmed changes to air traffic control operations in the southern part of the country following a drone strike on an administrative building belonging to the Southern Russia branch of Aeronavigation in Rostov.

Flight schedules were subsequently adjusted by the federal air transport agency and airlines. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin also reported that drones approaching the capital were intercepted, leading to temporary flight restrictions at Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports. The precise number of drones involved in the Moscow incident was not specified.

Refinery Fires and Damage

Fires were reported at oil refining facilities in Yaroslavl and Perm. Monitoring channels and media outlets indicated a fire at the Yaroslavnefteorgsintez oil refinery in Yaroslavl subsequent to drone attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly confirmed this strike.

In Perm, Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ shared visual evidence of smoke in the vicinity of the Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez refinery. Authorities in Perm acknowledged strikes on an unspecified facility and reported employee evacuations. This incident marks the third attack on the Perm refinery within a nine-day period.

Other Reported Incidents

Additional drone strikes were reported in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. According to Exilenova+, one drone reportedly crashed at the site of the 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Division, while another was reported to have failed to reach the local FSB headquarters. Astra also indicated attacks in Chechnya's Khankala district, which houses a significant Russian military base, and near the railway station close to the regional FSB building.

Rostov region governor Yuri Slyusar stated that debris from the attacks caused damage in Taganrog, Bataysk, Rostov-on-Don, and the Myasnikovsky district.

Context of the Strikes

These overnight strikes occurred despite Russia’s Ministry of Defense previously declaring a "ceasefire" for May 8-9 and issuing a warning of potential large-scale strikes on Kyiv if Moscow's May 9 holiday events were disrupted. Ukraine, however, reported continued Russian drone and artillery attacks overnight, with President Zelensky asserting that Russia had violated the announced "period of silence" and indicating a reciprocal response from the Ukrainian side.