Zelenskyy Warns Russian Skies No Longer Safe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned international airlines and insurers that Russian airspace is becoming increasingly dangerous as Ukraine expands long-range drone operations against targets inside Russia. He said the “safe days” in Russian skies were over while stressing that Ukraine was not deliberately targeting civilian aircraft.
Zelenskyy Warns Airlines Over Russian Airspace
In his evening address, Zelenskyy said airlines continuing to operate through Russian airspace or serve major airports including Moscow and St Petersburg should reassess the risks created by growing drone activity.
He said Ukrainian drones would increasingly operate over Russian territory as Kyiv exercises what it describes as its right to strike military facilities and economic infrastructure supporting Moscow’s war effort.
The warning does not amount to a formal closure of Russian airspace, which remains under Russian aviation authorities’ control.
Ukraine Says Civilian Aircraft Are Not Targets
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine does not intend to attack civilian aviation but argued that large-scale drone operations inevitably increase risks in airspace used by commercial aircraft.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry is expected to communicate its assessment of those dangers to international organisations, foreign governments, airlines and aviation insurers.
Several Western carriers already avoid Russian airspace, while airlines from countries including China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates continue operating flights through parts of it.
Ukraine Drone Strikes Intensify Inside Russia
Ukraine has significantly expanded long-range attacks against Russian oil refineries, military installations and other infrastructure as Russia continues large-scale missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities.
Zelenskyy said Kyiv had temporarily suspended attacks on certain Russian cities and routes when requested by international partners to facilitate diplomatic efforts.
He argued that normal aviation safety would return only when meaningful progress was made towards ending the war.
