Operation Sindoor Delegation’s Flight Delayed Mid-Air Amid Moscow Drone Attack

Operation Sindoor Delegation’s Flight Delayed Mid-Air: Several flights were halted at Moscow airport following a drone attack, including the flight carrying DMK's Kanimozhi-led all-party delegation. Russia and Ukraine have deployed drones against one another regularly since Russia launched its military offensive on Ukraine over three years ago, but Moscow has rarely been targeted. Drone attacks have intensified in recent days.

Russia's defence ministry said that it intercepted and destroyed 112 Ukrainian drones in a third night of attacks.

Since Thursday evening, "air defence systems destroyed and intercepted 112 Ukrainian drones", including 24 that were headed toward the capital, the ministry said.

“Due to the drone strike, the Moscow airport was shut and our flight had to hover in the air for a long time before we got landing permission,” said a member of Kanimozhi’s team on Friday.

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In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Russia wrote: "Together in the fight against terrorism! All-Party Delegation led by Hon'ble MP @KanimozhiDMK in the Federation Council of the Russian Federation with First Deputy Chair of the Committee on International Affairs H.E. Mr. Andrey Denisov and other Senators."

Upon landing, the delegation was received by officials from the Indian Embassy in Russia, who ensured their secure transport to the hotel.

Led by Kanimozhi, the team is scheduled to visit Russia, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, and Latvia as part of India’s strategic outreach to highlight its position on cross-border terrorism. Operation Sindoor aims to expose Pakistan’s involvement in sponsoring terrorism and build international consensus on the issue.

The delegation also includes:

• Rajeev Rai (Samajwadi Party)
• Mian Altaf Ahmad (National Conference)
• Brijesh Chowta (BJP)
• Prem Chand Gupta (RJD)
• Ashok Kumar Mittal (AAP)
• Former diplomats Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf

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All members were on board the delayed flight. Meanwhile, the team is expected to meet with members of the Russian Duma, senior officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry, and prominent Russian think-tank experts on Friday.

“It circled in the air and later landed, and there was a delay of 45 minutes. She (Kanimozhi) landed safely,” sources close to Kanimozhi said in Chennai on Friday (May 23).

The multi-party delegation landed in Moscow on Thursday night on the first leg of a five-nation tour to sensitise the international community on Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, a month after the Pahalgam attack in which 26 people were killed.

At the Domodedovo International Airport, Kanimozhi and members of her team were received by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar and other officials.

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