A flight carrying the Operation Sindoor outreach delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi was forced to circle in the air and delayed for hours after a drone attack reportedly launched by Ukraine temporarily shut down Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport, the MP’s team confirmed on Friday.
The incident occurred on Thursday, causing the suspension of both domestic and international operations at the airport. According to the delegation, the flight was denied permission to land and had to remain airborne amid the airspace disruption.
After several hours of delay, the flight eventually landed safely. “Indian embassy officials in Russia received the all-party MPs’ delegation at the airport and escorted them securely to their hotel,” the statement said.
Also read: Pak denied IndiGo airspace during turbulent Delhi-Srinagar flight
Kanimozhi is leading a multi-party parliamentary team on an international outreach tour covering Russia, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, and Latvia. The delegation aims to brief foreign governments and think-tanks about India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the 22 April Pahalgam attacks, and to present New Delhi’s position on the regional security environment and Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
Other members of the delegation include Rajeev Rai (Samajwadi Party), Mian Altaf Ahmad (National Conference), Brijesh Chowta (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (RJD), Ashok Kumar Mittal (AAP), and former diplomats Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf. All members were aboard the delayed flight.
The MPs are scheduled to meet members of the Russian Duma and officials from the foreign ministry on Friday, followed by discussions with experts from local think-tanks. On Saturday, the delegation will address a press conference and engage with the Russian media before departing for Slovenia.
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