Gagarin International Airport in Saratov is temporarily closed for aircraft arrival and departure. Urgent information on flight status can be found on the online dashboard and on the institution’s website. The press service did not name the reason for the airport’s closure. Rosaviatsia explained the measures by the need to “ensure the safety of civilian aircraft.”
Earlier, Saratov Governor Roman Busargin reported on the threat of a drone attack, noting that the information was received from the Ministry of Defense. “Information systems are operating locally. All emergency services have been put on full alert,” he added.
Gagarin Airport has been closed for the second time in the last two weeks due to the threat of a drone attack. Previously, such measures were taken on October 31. On that day, the airports of Ufa and Samara were also closed due to a drone attack.
Ukrainian forces are attacking Saratov for the third time in the last two weeks. Six drones were spotted on November 8. According to the authorities, all the drones were shot down, but the wreckage of one of them fell in the industrial zone of the Zavodskoy district. The Saratov Oil Refinery with a port on the Volga is located there. Local residents reported a fire near the plant and posted a video on the Internet. A source for the Saratov 24 TV channel reported that fragments of the downed drone fell in a fuel oil storage facility and on one of the special devices. The Saratov NPP, formerly known as the Kreking plant, belongs to Rosnevt.