**Drone Attacks Disrupt Flights in Russia**
On August 9, flights were severely delayed at Sochi Airport in the Russian region of Krasnodar Krai. The delay was caused by reported drone attacks in the area. This is not an isolated incident, as Russia frequently closes its airspace over cities in response to Ukrainian drone attacks.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that air defenses had shot down 10 drones over Krasnodar Krai on August 9. However, Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, typically remains silent about such operations. The disruption at Sochi Airport was just one of many affected airports, including those in Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Novokuznetsk, and Norilsk.
**Airspace Closures and Flight Delays**
According to Meduza, an independent news outlet, 57 flights were delayed on August 9 at Sochi Airport. Another flight was canceled. This disruption had a ripple effect, affecting thousands of passengers who were left waiting for their flights. In July, nearly every day saw a Russian airport temporarily shut down due to drone attacks.
**Ukraine’s Military Strategy**
Ivan Stupak, a military commentator and former officer of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), commented on the situation: “This hits the morale of the Russian people… We’re sending a clear message – the war is very real, and your comfort lies in our hands.” According to Stupak, Ukraine designs drone flight paths to pass within 100-150 kilometers of major airports. This forces Russian air traffic controllers to activate emergency protocols.
**Commentary**
The recent drone attacks on Russia’s airspace have significant implications for both the country’s military and its citizens. By targeting airports, Ukraine is disrupting the normal functioning of Russian cities, forcing people to wait in uncertainty. As Stupak mentioned, this has a psychological impact on the Russian population, making them aware that the war is real and not just something they can ignore.
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