Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned airlines, insurers, and passengers against utilizing Russian airspace, stating it will be filled with Ukrainian drones for the duration of the war.
During his address, Zelenskyy stated: “Today, we want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, and everyone who still uses Russia’s key airports: Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe. Ukraine does not threaten civilian aviation as such – not a single civilian aircraft. There will simply be drones in Russia’s skies on a scale that has to be taken into account. Although the Russian authorities are not properly informing people about this, Russian airspace will effectively be closing – the war started by Russia is closing its skies.”
He added: “We in Ukraine do not want innocent lives to be lost. That is why we are warning our partners: the safe days in Russia’s skies are over. It is important that this is heard by the ambassadors of countries represented here in Ukraine, as well as by ambassadors working in Moscow. Every one of them knows exactly what Russia’s war means for our country and our people, and they must convey this information to their capitals. It is important that the airlines currently flying to airports primarily in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other key destinations in Russia hear this as well. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and our other institutions will provide international organizations with full information about the dangers in Russian airspace. Drone-infested skies are no place for civilian aviation.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by characterizing the warning as a declaration of state terrorism. The aviation security advisory coincides with mounting international tensions following German allegations regarding a drone incident at Leipzig’s airport, alongside ongoing economic assessments indicating severe strain within Russian industrial sectors.
