Flights Disrupted by Drone Attack at Moscow Airport; Indian Delegation's Plane Circles for Hours
Drone Attack: On May 22, 2025, an Indian parliamentary delegation, including DMK MP Kanimozhi, arrived in Moscow, Russia. However, as their plane was about to land at the Moscow airport, a drone attack occurred, causing chaos and temporarily halting all flights. Consequently, the parliamentarians' plane circled for several hours while awaiting landing clearance.
Drone Attack at Moscow Airport: What Happened?
A drone attack, reportedly originating from Ukraine, targeted Moscow airport. This led to heightened security measures and the suspension of all domestic and international flights for several hours. Numerous planes were unable to land and were forced to circle the airport.
The Indian parliamentarians' plane was among those affected. The aircraft carried six members of parliament, including DMK MP Kanimozhi, Samajwadi Party's Rajiv Rai, RJD's Premchand Gupta, Captain Brijesh, Ashok Kumar Mittal, and Ambassador Manjeev Singh. After a prolonged wait and security checks, the plane landed safely.
Parliamentarians' Visit and “Operation Sindur”
This parliamentary delegation is undertaking a tour of Russia and several European countries as part of “Operation Sindur.” The mission aims to effectively communicate India's anti-terrorism policy to the world. The operation involves MPs from various Indian political parties, demonstrating India's united stand against terrorism.
Following Russia, the delegation will visit Slovenia, Greece, Latvia, and Spain. The delegation is led by DMK MP Kanimozhi. Upon arriving in Moscow, she stated, "Russia is a strategic partner of India. We are here to enhance cooperation on diplomatic, trade, and security matters."
MP Kanimozhi's Statement: India's Resolve Against Terrorism
MP Kanimozhi explained that recent terrorist attacks in India have shaken the nation. "We lost 26 innocent people, so the Indian government decided that MPs from various political parties should form a delegation to clarify India's position abroad," she said.
Kanimozhi further stated, "We will meet members of the international affairs committee, hold discussions with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister, and engage with think tanks, media, and other relevant organizations to develop a shared strategy against terrorism."
Security Response and Local Administration's Actions
Following the drone attack, security agencies immediately responded, deploying a large contingent of police and security personnel. Airport authorities managed the ensuing chaos and instructed all aircraft to await further instructions.
The safety of the Indian parliamentarians' plane was prioritized, and they were successfully landed. Officials from the Indian Embassy in Russia were present at the airport to welcome the delegation and ensure their safety.
