**Russian Airlines Face Massive Financial Hit from Ukraine’s Drone Attacks**
Russia’s major airports were crippled by Ukrainian drone attacks on July 5-6, causing a massive disruption to the country’s aviation sector. According to reports, the shutdowns could cost Russian airlines around 20 billion rubles (around $254 million).
The disruptions started on July 5 and continued into the next day, with a total of 485 flights canceled, 88 diverted to alternate airports, and another 1,900 delayed across major hubs. The aviation agency Rosaviatsiya reported that over 94,000 passengers were housed in hotels, 43,000 refunds were processed, and hundreds of thousands of vouchers for food and drinks were issued.
**Estimated Financial Toll**
The estimated financial toll from the disruptions includes direct airline losses from canceled flights, as well as costs for delays, diversions, and passenger care. Experts say that these costs could be far higher, with tens of billions of rubles in additional indirect losses expected.
Dmitry Datsykov, an expert at EXPO.UAV, estimated that the true cost of the disruptions could be much higher than initially thought. He pointed out that missed connections, taxi and hotel losses, and supply chain disruptions would also have a significant impact on the Russian economy.
**Escalating Conflict**
The drone attacks are part of Ukraine’s strategy to undermine Russia’s logistics and force the consequences of the war closer to the Russian public. The economic fallout comes amid growing scrutiny of Russia’s transport sector.
President Vladimir Putin dismissed Transport Minister Roman Starovoit following the aviation chaos and a high-profile ammonia leak at the Ust-Luga port. The Kremlin has struggled to protect critical infrastructure from Kyiv’s deep-strike drone campaign, which has expanded in recent months to include refineries, radar plants, and now Russia’s busiest airports.
**Consequences for Russian Economy**
The estimated financial toll of 20 billion rubles (around $254 million) is a significant hit to the Russian economy. The true cost could be far higher, with experts predicting tens of billions of rubles in additional indirect losses.
The disruptions will also have a ripple effect on the global economy, with many airlines and logistics companies relying on Russia for transportation services. The economic fallout from these attacks will continue to be felt for weeks and months to come.
**Commentary**
The drone attacks by Ukraine are a bold move to disrupt Russia’s critical infrastructure. The economic pressure on Russia is mounting, and it remains to be seen how the Kremlin will respond to this challenge.
In an interview with Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said that Ukraine’s strategy aims to force the consequences of the war closer to the Russian public. This bold move by Ukraine highlights the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
**Conclusion**
The drone attacks on Russia’s airports have caused a massive disruption to the country’s aviation sector, with estimated financial losses of around 20 billion rubles (around $254 million). The true cost could be far higher, with tens of billions of rubles in additional indirect losses expected. As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, it remains to be seen how this economic pressure will affect the Russian economy.
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