By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A “Carpet” plan was activated at eight Russian airports due to a drone attack, leading to flight suspensions at Vladikavkaz, Grozny, Magas, Mineralnye Vody, Nalchik, Stavropol, Sochi, and Tambov. Airspace closures have resulted in delays, with 25 flights affected overall and 45 delays at Sochi airport alone. Simultaneously, air defense systems reportedly intercepted at least 30 drones in Nevinnomyssk, targeting a chemical plant, while the Rostov region also experienced drone attacks overnight. Passengers are currently awaiting the lifting of the “Carpet” plan.
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Drone strikes cripple 8 airports across Russia, and it’s hard not to feel a surge of… well, let’s just say it’s a moment of satisfaction. The fact that this is happening, that Russia is experiencing some of the consequences of its actions, well, it’s a sentiment shared by a lot of people, myself included. The impact on civilian travel, while regrettable in the abstract, is a relatively small price to pay compared to the suffering inflicted on Ukraine. It’s a grim calculus, to be sure, but sometimes, the scales tip in unexpected directions.
These attacks represent a shift, a turning of the tables. It’s a taste of their own medicine, as the saying goes. Russia has been using drones to inflict pain and terror on Ukrainian civilians, so to see similar tactics employed against its own infrastructure, well, it’s understandable that it stirs up mixed feelings. The strategic impact of disrupting air travel, even if just temporarily, should not be underestimated. Airports are critical hubs for military logistics, and the slowdown in their operations inevitably affects military movements.
The targets appear to be selected with precision, focusing on infrastructure with potential military applications. This is a key distinction to draw, in contrast to Russia’s approach in Ukraine, where attacks often seem indiscriminate, causing immense suffering to the civilian population. It seems like there is a deliberate effort to avoid civilian casualties in these strikes, which is a vital ethical consideration when operating in such a complex conflict. This also demonstrates the evolution of asymmetric warfare.
Focusing on strategic targets, like airports, is a way of putting pressure on the Russian economy and limiting its ability to prosecute the war. A hampered economy is less able to fund military operations, manufacture weapons, and support the war effort. This isn’t just about inconveniencing travelers; it’s about hitting Russia where it hurts the most: its financial and military capabilities. Airports, train stations, ports, and cranes – these are all vital pieces of the infrastructure puzzle, and disrupting them helps to disrupt the war machine.
From the perspective of a person living in Russia, things look different. Travel, even for work, is going to get more complicated. Delays and disruptions are an unavoidable consequence of these attacks, which while minor, have an impact. The summer holiday travel season is proving to be busy, with domestic and international visitors flocking to various locations. However, it also appears, looking at the situation in a more general and objective manner, that the Russian economy is far from healthy, and is facing economic stagnation.
That said, even with the disruptions to travel and potential economic effects, it’s important to look at the bigger picture. The fact that prices on essential goods, like carrots and potatoes, are rising and manufacturing outputs are slowing, points to underlying systemic issues. The war, sanctions, and ongoing instability are taking their toll on the Russian economy.
It’s vital to remember the true nature of this conflict and the need to support the Ukrainian people. It’s a war against a regime that has shown no regard for international law or human life. The world has a responsibility to assist Ukraine in its defense, and this means supporting any efforts that weaken the aggressor, including these types of carefully targeted attacks.