Zelenskyy says airlines should avoid Russian airspace as Ukraine expands drone operations - CNBC
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned international airlines to avoid Russian airspace due to an increase in Ukrainian drone operations. He stated that the skies over Russia are becoming unsafe for civilian aviation, while Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the warning as state terrorism.
Why it matters
This escalation threatens to further isolate Russia's aviation sector and increases the risk of accidental civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged airlines to avoid Russian airspace as Kyiv expands its drone operations .
"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," Zelenskyy said Tuesday in his evening address.
His warning follows Ukraine stepping up its long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and logistics hubs, as it seeks to raise the cost of the war for Moscow.
Ukraine's president said it is important that airlines currently flying into airports in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other key destinations in Russia take note of the elevated airspace risk.
Zelenskyy insisted that civilian aviation would not be in danger, before adding: "There will simply be drones in Russia's skies on a scale that has to be taken into account."
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