Zelensky Urges Airlines to Avoid Russian Airspace Amid Rising Drone Operations
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned commercial airlines that flying over Russian airspace is becoming increasingly perilous as the country ramps up drone attacks. "The Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous," he told aircraft operators, insurers and anyone still using Russian airports.
Most Western carriers have already stopped using Russia as a transit route since the invasion in February 2022, but carriers from China, Turkey and Gulf states continue to fly over Russian airspace for fuel and time savings. The new warning could force a rapid reshuffling of international routings.
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the comments as a "declaration of state terrorism", yet also pledged that Russia would intensify its own attacks on Ukraine.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine does not threaten civilian aviation and that no civilian aircraft have been targeted. Instead, he emphasised the presence of drones in Russian skies, which could pose risks to any aircraft.
The warning was issued during Zelensky's nightly video address on Tuesday, where he also referenced the increased detachment of Russian airspace as the war escalated.
Aviation safety firm Osprey Flight Solutions highlighted that most Ukrainian strikes — even within 300km of the border — are likely to reach deeper Russian territory throughout the year. The alert warned about possible misidentification risks associated with the conflict.
Putin’s remarks came alongside ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian targets, with recent attacks killing twelve people on Monday and preparing for larger bombardments of power stations.
Despite these intense hostilities, Ukraine has remained closed to civilian aircraft, citing the war’s commencement in 2022. The UN aviation agency still holds Russia accountable for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
The shift in airline routing could have significant economic implications for carriers that have relied on Russian air corridors to link Asia and Europe efficiently.
