The authorities temporarily closed Moscow's four airports, citing safety reasons, but the restrictions were later lifted.

"To ensure the safety of civil aircraft flights, temporary restrictions have been introduced on the operation of Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky and Kaluga airports," Rosaviatsiya said on Dec.

Russia's aviation watchdog said on Thursday all four Moscow airports had resumed work after the lifting of temporary restrictions that were introduced to ensure the safety of civil aircraft flights.

All four of Moscow’s airports have been temporarily closed without any reason given, according to Russia’s aviation watchdog. ‘Aircraft crews, air traffic controllers and airport services are taking all necessary measures to ensure flight safety,

Russia's aviation authority announced on Thursday the temporary closure of five airports, including all four Moscow airports and one in Kaluga, located 160km southwest of the capital. The aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia did not provide a reason for the closures.

Russian authorities on Thursday closed all four of Moscow's airports, plus a fifth one in a city about 100 miles southwest of the country's capital, citing unspecified safety concerns.