Drone Activity Delays St Petersburg–Samarkand Flight

Authorities delayed UTair flight UT 881 from St Petersburg to Samarkand by 30 minutes due to temporary restrictions at Pulkovo Airport. The disruption followed an overnight drone attack in the Leningrad Region.

The flight was scheduled to depart at 11:05 local time but was rescheduled for 11:35, with boarding beginning at 10:55. According to official data, air defence systems intercepted three unmanned aerial vehicles overnight, prompting heightened security measures at the airport.

As a result, at least 11 flights were cancelled and more than 60 delayed.

Pulkovo has since resumed normal operations. Uzbekistan Airways is expected to depart for Tashkent at 13:15 local time.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that passengers in Uzbekistan can now check in for flights using an electronic passport.