Moscow's three airports could see some disruption to flights this week, as Russia's Air Force practices aerial maneuvers ahead of the city's Victory Day celebrations next month.
The airspace over Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports will be closed to civilian flights from 7:30 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Russia's air traffic administration said last week in an online statement.
Despite the threat of disruptions, air traffic appeared to be largely unaffected on Monday, with flights continuing to take off and land at all three airports between 7:30 a.m. and 8:20 a.m., according to schedules published on their respective websites.
Russia will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany on May 9 with victory parades set to take place in cities across the country.
A number of Western leaders — including U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel – have turned down invitations to attend the Moscow parade, amid opposition to Russia's policy on Ukraine.
