Drone Threat Grounds Flights in Russia's Arctic Airports

Operations at airports in Murmansk and Apatity were temporarily halted due to a drone threat. Murmansk's governor confirmed the threat, and a video circulated claiming to show the drone being downed. The area is strategically important as it houses a base for bomber planes.

Airports in Russia's Arctic cities of Murmansk and Apatity resumed operations after a brief airspace closure on Wednesday, the aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia reported.

Since the Ukraine war commenced, Russian airports have frequently enacted similar closures due to potential Ukrainian drone attacks. Murmansk Governor Andrei Chibis confirmed a drone threat in the region but did not provide further specifics.

Various Russian media outlets later shared a video purportedly showing the downing of a drone in the Murmansk area. Reuters has yet to verify the video's authenticity. The Murmansk region is strategically significant as it hosts an airbase for strategic bomber planes near Olenegorsk.

(With inputs from agencies.)