Op Sindoor delegation flight to Moscow delayed by hours after Ukraine launched drone attack at airport

A flight carrying the Operation Sindoor outreach delegation to the Russian capital was caught in the crosshairs of a Ukrainian drone attack targeting Moscow airport on Thursday (May 22). Indian Member of Parliament (MP) Kanimozhi from the DMK party was on the flight, which was forced to circle for hours due to the airport closure. The MP’s team said Friday that the flight could land after a delay of several hours.

Notably, the drone attack, likely launched by Ukraine, led to disruptions at the Domodedovo International Airport, affecting both domestic and international flight operations for several hours. Due to this, the MP’s flight was denied permission to land and was asked to stay airborne for several hours.

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Indian embassy staff later received the delegation when the flight landed at the airport after a prolonged delay.

Kanimozhi is leading a group to Russia, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, and Latvia to inform these countries about India’s recent Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, which was launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attacks. The team will explain India’s position on regional security and raise awareness about Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

Other members of the group include Rajeev Rai from the Samajwadi Party, Mian Altaf Ahmad from the National Conference, Brijesh Chowta from the BJP, Prem Chand Gupta from the RJD, Ashok Kumar Mittal from the AAP, and former diplomats Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf. They were all on the same flight that was delayed.

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The group is set to meet with Russian Duma members and foreign ministry officials on Friday, and interact with top experts from local think-tanks.

On Saturday, they will hold a press conference and speak to local media before heading to Slovenia.

India’s global outreach programme started on May 21, with the purpose of conveying India’s strong stand against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

These delegations are likely carrying a detailed dossier of Pakistan’s involvement in terrorist activities inside India, with all evidence. “The dossiers may be prepared in the official language of the respective country,” a source earlier said.