A video has captured the world’s largest cargo aircraft, the Russian Defence Ministry Antonov-124, flying dangerously low over Moscow as waves of Ukrainian drones swarmed the city. The massive plane reportedly “scared” locals as it thundered near Vnukovo Airport, passing closely over residential towers.
Footage circulating on social media shows the colossal plane swooping over the skyline, with a metallic screech and thunderous roar echoing through the neighborhoods, leaving residents shocked.
A massive Russian cargo plane, Antonov-124, flew low over Moscow to avoid Ukrainian drones. At least 34 drones were shot down, causing flight disruptions and stranding passengers. Russia also launched missile strikes across Ukraine.#Russia #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/LTqaSqsxpb
— LoudFact (@loudfactcom) September 23, 2025
Ukrainian Drone Attack on Moscow
According to The Sun, the Antonov-124 flew low intentionally to avoid incoming drones during one of the largest Ukrainian strikes on Moscow since the war began. Russian air defences scrambled to shoot down the unmanned drones overnight.
The Antonov-124 measures 226 feet long with a 240-foot wingspan and weighs 450 tons, making its low flight over residential areas highly unusual. It remains unclear whether the aircraft was landing or taking off.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed: “At least 34 drones were shot down overnight.”
The drone attacks caused major airport disruptions, forcing Sheremetyevo Airport to stop flights. Passengers on a Dubai-to-Moscow flight were stranded on planes or in terminals for hours, with limited food and water. Similar disruptions occurred at Copenhagen and Oslo airports.
Russian Missile Attacks Across Ukraine
Meanwhile, Russia has continued attacks across Ukraine. A missile strike in Odesa’s Tatarbunary region killed one woman and injured three others. In Zaporizhzhia, aerial bombs struck residential buildings, killing another civilian. Bombardments in Donetsk caused power outages and damaged homes and factories.
The Antonov-124, a cornerstone of Russia’s logistics operations, can haul up to 150 tons of cargo, highlighting its strategic role in the ongoing war effort.
Passenger Struggles Amid Flight Disruptions
Mayor Sobyanin confirmed the ongoing drone threat forced flights to reroute:
- A Dubai-to-Moscow service diverted to Nizhny Novgorod, where passengers waited on mattresses in the terminal.
- A flight from Vladivostok was redirected to St Petersburg, one of about 20 flights affected.
International Impact
Drone-related disruptions also affected airports in northern Europe, including Copenhagen and Oslo, showing the broader reach of the attacks.
