Zelensky warns airlines Russian skies not safe due to Ukraine drones

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning to airlines and passengers, stating that Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe due to the presence of Ukrainian drones. Speaking in his nightly address, Zelensky issued a dire message to the aviation industry, urging them to take into account the large scale of Ukrainian drones that will be present in Russia's skies throughout the war.

Ukraine maintains that they are not threatening civilian aviation, emphasizing that there will be no civilian aircraft among the drones. The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, responded by branding Zelensky's comments as a declaration of state terrorism, arguing that there is no reason to negotiate with terrorists.

Despite the escalating violence, the war has persisted for over four years. On Tuesday alone, at least 12 people were killed in Kyiv and the surrounding region during massive Russian strikes. The frequency of Russian airspace disruptions by Ukrainian drones has also increased in recent months.

Zelensky emphasized that innocent lives should not be lost, explaining that the warning to airlines and passengers is aimed at ensuring safe skies in Russia as long as the conflict continues. He added that Ukraine would clear its drones from Russian skies upon request, for the sake of diplomacy, negotiations, and specific periods of time and destinations.

Efforts to mediate an end to the conflict, under US mediation, have been stalled since the outbreak of war in the Middle East in February.