Russia announced on Wednesday new measures to tighten control over airspace around the capital Moscow and several surrounding regions, coinciding with the Russian military's announcement of fresh battlefield gains in eastern Ukraine, as fighting between the two sides continues amid mutual accusations over casualties, military losses, and attacks on civilian areas.
Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency said authorities are working to impose new restrictions on light aircraft and drone flights in Moscow and its surrounding regions, following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks that have targeted Russian territory in recent months.
Under the new measures, light, ultralight, and unmanned aircraft will be required to fly at an altitude of no less than 5,200 metres — a level that most such aircraft are incapable of reaching.
The restrictions are scheduled to take effect on 20 June and will cover Moscow and the Moscow region, as well as parts of the Ryazan, Tula, Kaluga, Tver, Yaroslavl, and Vladimir regions, while commercial and charter flights will continue as normal.
On the battlefield, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced that its forces had seized the town of Kutuzivka in the Donetsk People's Republic, confirming that their advance continues along the Kreminna and Kostiantynivka axes.
The ministry said units from the Centre forces group