Zelensky warned airlines about the danger of flights over Russia

Russian airspace is becoming increasingly dangerous for civil aviation due to the growing number of Ukrainian drones and missiles striking military targets inside the Russian Federation. Ukraine intends to officially warn international airlines, insurers, and international organizations of these risks.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this in his evening address on September 1. He stressed that Ukraine does not consider civilian aircraft as targets and strikes only at Russian military facilities and parts of the economy that support the war.

According to the president, the consequences of the war started by Russia are now spreading to Russian airspace, where the presence of Ukrainian drones and missiles is increasing. Therefore, airlines that continue to operate flights to Russia need to consider the new risks.

“Russian skies are becoming completely dangerous. Ukraine does not threaten civil aviation as such, nor any civilian aircraft. Drones in the skies over Russia will simply be present in such a way that attention must be paid to this,” — said Zelensky.

The president specifically addressed carriers that continue to fly to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other major Russian airports, as well as insurance companies servicing such flights.

Zelensky asserts that the Russian authorities do not sufficiently inform international participants in the aviation market about emerging threats. In his words, because of the ongoing war, Russian airspace will in effect be increasingly restricted for civil aviation.

The Ukrainian president also called on foreign ambassadors working in Kyiv and Moscow to convey the relevant information to their governments. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry and other relevant agencies must provide international organizations with data on the risks of flights over Russia.

“There are no safe moments left in the skies over Russia,” said Zelensky, adding that “there is no place for civil aviation among drones.”

At the same time, the president stated that Ukraine is ready to temporarily halt long-range strikes on certain directions at the request of international partners if necessary for diplomatic contacts. In particular, according to him, at the request of the United States, Ukraine did not strike Moscow and St. Petersburg on August 25–27. Kyiv also agreed to pause on a certain direction near Vladivostok.

Zelensky emphasized that such temporary restrictions are possible for the sake of negotiations, however, in his opinion, a permanent reduction of risks for civilian flights over Russia will occur only after real progress toward ending the war.

Based on materials from: Volodymyr Zelensky, Office of the President of Ukraine