More Than 100 Flights Delayed and Canceled in Krasnodar Region

Massive Drone Attack on the Black Sea Coast

Drone attacks caused major disruptions at airports in Russia’s Krasnodar Region on February 23. Flight schedules were affected in Sochi, Krasnodar, Gelendzhik, and Novorossiysk. Airports were closed several times due to security risks, Sochistream reported.

Situation at Sochi Airport

At Sochi Airport on February 23, 33 arriving flights and 28 departures were delayed. Destinations included Moscow, St. Petersburg, Istanbul, Hurghada, and other popular routes. Ten flights were canceled, and 11 aircraft were diverted to alternate airports.

Waiting times in the terminal reached up to 15 hours. Passengers, including families with children, were forced to spend the night in the waiting area, with many sitting or lying on the floor due to a lack of available seats. Airport representatives said food was provided and hotel accommodation offered when necessary, but eyewitnesses reported difficult conditions.

Airport operations were suspended three times during the day. In the evening, restrictions were reintroduced: at 18:38 the airport was closed for the fourth time. It had reopened earlier at 17:28, but normal operations lasted just over an hour.

Sochi Mayor Andrey Proshunin stated that the drone attack alert remained in effect both in the city and in the federal territory of Sirius. Air defense systems were repelling the attacks, and sirens were activated several times throughout the day. As of the morning of February 24, restrictions remained in place. Kuban24 reported that at 7:50 a.m., departures of 46 flights and the same number of arrivals were delayed. Disruptions affected the following destinations:

Moscow, St. Petersburg, Perm;

Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Nizhny Novgorod;

Omsk, Tyumen, Kazan, Ufa, Samara;

Dubai, Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi, and Minsk.

Regional Situation

In Krasnodar, 33 flights were delayed and five were canceled. An aviation alert was declared several times during the day, and the airport was temporarily closed. Residents of Krymsk, Sochi, and other districts reported hearing sirens. Gelendzhik Airport also suspended operations temporarily. In Novorossiysk, the drone threat alert was lifted in the evening, though authorities warned that risks remained. The alert status continues in Tuapse, Gelendzhik, Anapa, and the Slavyansky district.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., air defense systems destroyed 67 drones over the Azov and Black Seas, Crimea, Krasnodar Region, Belgorod Region, and Kursk Region. In the morning, drone debris fell in the Lenina farm settlement in Krasnodar, damaging a private house and a car.

Residents and visitors are advised to follow safety guidelines, avoid windows, and report any drone debris by calling 112. The situation remains tense, and flight schedules continue to be adjusted.

Conclusion

International Investment analysts note that previously the most extensive drone attacks were recorded in Moscow, prompting some tourists and business travelers to be more cautious about using the capital’s airports. Frequent restrictions and flight rescheduling strengthened this trend.

Now the risks have also affected the major aviation hubs of the Krasnodar Region. In late winter, Sochi traditionally remains a popular destination due to lower off-season prices and its role as a transit hub for international routes. Continued restrictions may impact tourist flows and air travel logistics in southern Russia.