Russian government closes Moscow Ostafyevo aerodrome and border crossing
Version 2: Vedomosti has now reported the decree in full, adding that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed it, that it enters into force on publication, and background on the aerodrome's location and ownership; the closure of the air border crossing point is now reported by two outlets rather than one.
In short
The Russian government has decreed the closure of Moscow's Ostafyevo aerodrome for the servicing of aircraft, TASS, RBC and Vedomosti reported. TASS and Vedomosti said the air border crossing point through the state border located there will also be closed. RBC and Vedomosti reported the decree was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Vedomosti said it took effect on publication.
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The Russian government has closed Moscow's Ostafyevo aerodrome for the servicing of aircraft, along with the air border crossing point through the state border located there, according to TASS, RBC and Vedomosti. Vedomosti reported that the decree was published on the official portal for the publication of legal acts and that it enters into force on the day of publication. RBC and Vedomosti said Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed it. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
TASS reported the government's decision at 22:28 local time on 5 October. RBC followed at 08:52 local time on 6 October, saying Mishustin closed the aerodrome for aircraft servicing. Vedomosti reported at 10:21 local time on 6 October, citing the published decree text. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Vedomosti described Ostafyevo as a dual-purpose aerodrome used by military and business aviation, located in Moscow's Novomoskovsky administrative okrug near the Yuzhnoye Butovo district. Gazprom became a co-owner alongside the Russian Ministry of Defence in 1995, the paper said; the complex was reconstructed and opened to civil flights in 2000, and the aerodrome received international status in 2007. In December 2025, Vedomosti reported, Moscow's city property department signed a contract with Gazprom for the acquisition of Ostafyevo. [ 3 ]
None of the documents gives a reason for the closure, states whether it is permanent or temporary, or says what will happen to flights and aircraft servicing at the aerodrome. TASS and Vedomosti are the only documents that mention the border crossing point closure; RBC does not refer to it. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The decree shuts an aerodrome used by military and business aviation in the Moscow area and, according to TASS and Vedomosti, a border crossing point there. The documents give no reason, duration or practical consequences, so the effect on aviation and border traffic is unclear.
Key facts
- The Russian government decreed the closure of Moscow's Ostafyevo aerodrome for the servicing of aircraft, according to TASS, RBC and Vedomosti. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The air border crossing point through the state border located at the aerodrome will also be closed, TASS and Vedomosti reported. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed the decree, RBC and Vedomosti reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Vedomosti reported the decree was published on the official portal for the publication of legal acts and enters into force on the day of publication. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti described Ostafyevo as a dual-purpose aerodrome used by military and business aviation, located in Moscow's Novomoskovsky administrative okrug near the Yuzhnoye Butovo district. [ 3 ]
- Gazprom became a co-owner of the aerodrome together with the Russian Ministry of Defence in 1995, and in December 2025 Moscow's city property department signed a contract with Gazprom to acquire Ostafyevo, Vedomosti reported. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Why the government closed the aerodrome and the border crossing point. None of the documents gives a reason for the decision.
- Whether the closure is permanent or temporary and what it means in practice for flights and aircraft servicing. The documents state no duration and no effect on operations.
- Whether the December 2025 contract for Moscow to acquire Ostafyevo from Gazprom is connected to the closure. Vedomosti mentions the contract but does not link it to the decree, and no other document refers to it.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports the government decree closing Moscow's Ostafyevo aerodrome and an air border crossing point. [ 1 ]
- RBC reports that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin closed the aerodrome for aircraft servicing. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reports the decree text, its entry into force on publication and background on the aerodrome. [ 3 ]