Zelensky says airlines should avoid Russian airspace as Ukraine escalates drone operations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russian airspace is becoming “effectively closing” as Kyiv steps up its drone campaign against targets inside Russia, urging airlines, insurers and airports to avoid the skies over the country. In his nightly video address, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine does not intend to strike civilian aircraft, but the scale of drone operations will make Russian airspace “completely dangerous.” He announced that Ukraine has formally notified the United Nations and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the heightened risk, and he singled out carriers that still fly through Russian routes—particularly Chinese, Turkish and Gulf‑state airlines that use the airspace to save time and fuel on Asia‑Europe connections. Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the warning as a “declaration of state terrorism,” while Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the notification aims to prevent unintended incidents as “the war is returning home to Russia.”

The warning comes amid a broader intensification of Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russian territory, including attacks on major logistics hubs, energy facilities and the country’s largest airports. Aviation‑risk adviser Osprey Flight Solutions noted that while most Ukrainian drone and missile attacks occur within 300 km of the border, daily strikes farther inland are now “almost certain” to continue throughout the year, raising the likelihood of misidentification and accidental hits on civilian flights. Russia’s own air‑defence “Kovyor” (carpet) plan mandates the suspension of flights whenever a drone is detected, a protocol that has already forced temporary shutdowns at Moscow’s four main airports. Meanwhile, Russia has pledged “massive” strikes on Ukrainian power stations, and heavy attacks have killed 12 people in recent days, underscoring the escalating tit‑for‑tat dynamic that fuels the aviation threat.

Airlines operating through Russian airspace have responded with heightened monitoring and selective cancellations. Qatar Airways, which routes flights to the U.S. West Coast via Moscow, said its flight planning relies on continuous security assessments. Turkish low‑cost carrier Pegasus halted its Russia flights citing “technical and operational reasons,” while Emirates‑owned FlyDubai pledged to adjust schedules as the situation evolves. Flight‑tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed numerous aircraft still traversing Russian routes, with only minor delays and few cancellations at the two main airports. The broader aviation community watches closely, as the expanding drone campaign could force a wider re‑routing of international traffic, increase fuel costs and reshape airline networks that have long relied on the Russian corridor for efficient Asia‑Europe connections.

⚡ Effects Interpreter