Ukrainian drone alert disrupts Russian government flights returning from Putin’s Turkmenistan trip

Aircraft from Russia's Rossiya Special Flight Detachment, which ferries the country's leadership, circled over Moscow on October 9 after a Ukrainian drone threat prompted airport restrictions. Three Il-96 jets returning from Vladimir Putin's trip to a summit in Turkmenistan were unable to land immediately, with one diverted to St. Petersburg before eventually returning to Moscow.

Restrictions at Moscow's airports lasted roughly three hours, delaying more than 200 flights and canceling over 100 more, according to independent estimates. It remains unclear which aircraft Putin himself was aboard, though reporting suggests he may have been on the plane that was diverted.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.