Volodymyr Zelensky warns airlines that Russian airspace is becoming dangerous due to escalating drone strikes
Volodymyr Zelensky has warned commercial airlines and insurers that Russian airspace is becoming increasingly dangerous as Ukraine escalates its drone strikes deep into Russian territory. The Ukrainian president stated that while Ukraine does not intend to threaten civilian aircraft directly, the scale of a drones in the Russian sky will require consideration by carriers.
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Ukraine has formally notified the International Civil Aviation Organization that Russian airspace is no longer safe for civilian aviation. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that the war is returning home to Russia. Vladimir Putin described Zelensky's comments as a declaration of state terrorism. While most Western commercial airlines have avoided Russian airspace since the February 2022 invasion, carriers from Turkey, China, and Gulf states continue to use the region to save time and fuel. Airlines such as Qatar Airways and FlyDubai are monitoring the security situation closely. Several cancellations were reported on Wednesday as drones have caused disruptions at major Russian airports, including those in Moscow. Aviation risk advisory firm Osprey Flight Solutions noted that while most strikes occur near the border, daily attacks deeper inside Russia are expected to continue throughout the year.