Putin Calls Kyiv Plane Warning 'State Terrorism' 12 Years After MH17 Downed

Russian President Vladimir Putin has responded sharply to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's warning that Russian airspace is no longer safe following a surge in drone strikes, labeling it as "state terrorism." Speaking on Tuesday at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan, Zelensky stated that Russian airspace is effectively closing, as Russian authorities are not adequately informing people about this reality.

He emphasized that the war initiated by Russia is closing its skies, with most commercial airlines avoiding Russian airspace since the country's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, though some nations like China, India, and the United Arab Emirates still fly over the country. Zelensky clarified that Ukraine does not pose a threat to civilian aviation, but the presence of a vast number of drones in Russian skies is a significant concern.

Putin, however, dismissed Zelensky's remarks as tantamount to "state terrorism," reaffirming Russia's commitment to continuing its attacks on Ukraine. When asked about the possibility of resuming negotiations, Putin firmly stated that Russia does not negotiate with terrorists.