Zelensky says airlines should avoid Russian airspace as Ukraine escalates drone operations
Ukraine’s president has told airlines that Russian airspace will be “effectively closing” as his country escalates its drone strikes. “We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, everyone who still uses key Russian airports: the Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous,” Volodymyr Zelensky said. Ukraine has since formally notified the UN […] The post Zelensky says…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned airlines to avoid Russian airspace due to escalating drone strikes. Zelensky stated that "the Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous" for civilian aviation. Ukraine has formally informed the UN of the dangers to civilian aircraft. Russian President Vladimir Putin termed Zelensky's remarks as a "declaration of state terrorism".
Western airlines typically refrain from flying over Russia due to the ongoing conflict, but some airlines from countries like Turkey and China do. Speaking in a televised address, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine does not pose a threat to civilian aviation, and the purpose of the warning is to prevent unintended incidents. He directed the warning to airlines operating flights to Russian airports, particularly in cities like St Petersburg and Moscow.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that Ukraine had officially notified the International Civil Aviation Organization about the unsafe conditions in Russian airspace. The war, according to Sybiha, is "returning home to Russia". Despite the warning, flight tracking data showed numerous planes still flying over Russia, including those arriving and departing from the country's major airports.
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