The airport in the Russian sub-republic of Dagestan has been stormed by protesters.
This is due to information that a plane from Israel has landed at the airport, writes the AFP news agency.
On social media, pictures and videos of angry people moving around the terminals are being shared.
On Sunday evening, protesters stormed an airport in Russian Dagestan. This is due to information that a plane from Israeli Tel Aviv has landed at the airport, writes AFP and refers to local media.
A large mob is said to have been looking for Israeli citizens, according to the news agency.
Videos and images circulating on social media show angry people running around the terminals. Some managed to get onto the runway.
The airport is closed – security forces are called in
Some people in the videos and photos were carrying the Palestinian flag, according to Russia’s BBC.
The Russian aviation authority says the airport has been closed and planes are being diverted to other locations, according to AFP.
“After an unknown number of people entered the traffic zone at the airport, it has been decided to temporarily close the airport for arriving and departing flights,” reads a statement from the authority.
The authority also states that police and security forces were alerted to the scene.
Israel: Russia must protect Israelis
Moments later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the incident on Twitter. He calls the storm “scary”.
“Russian anti-Semitism and Russian hatred of other countries is systematic and deeply rooted. It is hatred that drives aggression and terror. We must all work to counter hatred,” he writes.
The Israeli government has also commented on the incident. Israel calls on Russia to protect Israeli citizens in the country and expects the authorities to deal with threats, according to Haaretz.
“Israel’s ambassador to Russia, Alex Ben-Zvi, is working with Russian authorities to ensure the safety of Israelis and Jews there,” the State Department said in a statement according to the newspaper.
Later in the evening, the Civil Aviation Authority announced that all protesters had been removed from the airport. The airport will remain closed until November 6.