Main shutdowns at Russia's key airports on July 5–6 attributable to Ukrainian drone assaults may value Russian airways round 20 billion rubles ($254 million), the pro-Kremlin outlet Kommersant reported on July 7, citing airline representatives and business consultants.
Because the begin of mass disruptions on July 5, a complete of 485 flights have been canceled, 88 have been diverted to alternate airports, and one other 1,900 have been delayed throughout main hubs, in response to Russia's aviation company Rosaviatsiya.
The drone assaults prompted operational shutdowns that triggered widespread logistical and financial penalties. Over 94,000 passengers have been housed in lodges, 43,000 refunds have been processed, and a whole bunch of hundreds of vouchers for meals and drinks have been issued.
The estimated monetary toll consists of direct airline losses from canceled Boeing 737-800 flights, which might run between 15 million and 23 million rubles ($190,000–$292,000) every relying on the route, in addition to prices for delays, diversions, and passenger care.
Specialists say the true value might be far greater. Dmitry Datsykov of EXPO.UAV estimated tens of billions of rubles in extra oblique losses, together with missed connections, taxi and lodge losses, and provide chain disruptions.
Ukraine has not publicly claimed duty for the disruptions however has acknowledged that its drone technique goals to undermine Russian logistics and power the conflict's penalties nearer to the Russian public.
The financial fallout comes amid rising scrutiny of Russia's transport sector. On July 7, President Vladimir Putin dismissed Transport Minister Roman Starovoit following the aviation chaos and a high-profile ammonia leak on the Ust-Luga port.
The Kremlin has more and more struggled to guard vital infrastructure from Kyiv's deep-strike drone marketing campaign, which in current months has expanded to incorporate refineries, radar vegetation, and now Russia's busiest airports.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy