Russia: Moscow airports evacuated due to bomb threats Oct. 6 /update 2

Event

According to media reports on Friday, October 6, the Russian police have received over 100 bomb threats at various locations in Moscow. No explosives have been found, but evacuations were reported at the Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), Vnukovo International Airport (VKO), and the Zhukovsky International Airport (ZIA). Anticipate residual delays at the airports and an increased police presence across the city. The credibility of the threats has not been confirmed and the source(s) of the threats are unknown.

Context

A series of anonymous bomb threats and reports of suspicious objects began to emerge on September 10 and triggered evacuations of public buildings in subsequent days, including train stations, airports, schools, universities, shopping centers, and administrative buildings, in cities across the country. The director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Thursday, October 5, that four Russians living abroad are suspected of making the calls.

Advice

Travelers in Moscow are advised to confirm the status of their flight and expect delays at the abovementioned airports.

More generally, individuals in Russia are advised to remain vigilant, to report any suspicious behavior or objects, and to follow instructions as issued by local authorities. 

As a reminder, most Western governments advise against travel to Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia, as well as areas along the border with the Ukrainian oblast (province) of Kharkiv and the districts of Budyonnovsky, Levokumsky, Neftekumsky, Stepnovsky, and Kursky in Stavropol Krai due to security concerns.