Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned international airlines and insurers that Russia’s airspace could become effectively unusable as Kyiv expands its long-range drone operations against Russian targets.
In a video address, Zelensky urged airlines still flying through Russian airspace to take the growing threat seriously, particularly those operating routes involving major Russian airports such as Moscow and St Petersburg.
He said Ukraine was not targeting civilian aircraft but warned that the increasing number of Ukrainian drones operating over Russian territory could create significant risks for commercial aviation.
According to Zelensky, the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine are increasingly being felt within Russian airspace.
“Russian airspace will effectively be closing,” he said, arguing that the conflict launched by Moscow was now creating dangers for aviation inside Russia itself.
Putin accuses Ukraine of terrorism
Russian President Vladimir Putin reacted sharply to the warning, accusing the Ukrainian leadership of engaging in what he described as “state terrorism.”
Speaking after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan, Putin said Russia would continue its military operations against Ukraine and questioned the possibility of negotiations with what he called terrorists.
The exchange comes as both countries continue to increase their use of long-range drones.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian infrastructure, including oil-related facilities and other sites connected to the country’s economy and war effort.
Airlines face growing risks
Most major Western airlines already avoid Russian airspace following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
However, airlines from countries including China, Turkey and several Gulf states continue to use Russian air routes because they can reduce flight times and fuel costs on some connections between Europe and Asia.
Aviation security specialists have warned that the increased frequency of drone attacks could create additional risks, including the possibility of misidentification or accidental involvement of civilian aircraft.
Osprey Flight Solutions has assessed that Ukrainian drone and missile attacks deep inside Russia are likely to continue, with some strikes potentially occurring hundreds of kilometres from the Ukrainian border.
Russia continues attacks on Ukraine
Zelensky’s warning came after another heavy wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine.
At least 12 people were killed in the latest attacks around Kyiv, while Ukrainian authorities reported damage to civilian and infrastructure targets.
The escalating aerial campaign has created a new dimension to the conflict, with both Moscow and Kyiv increasingly demonstrating the ability to strike targets far beyond the immediate battlefield.
As the drone war intensifies, international airlines operating through Russian airspace will now have to assess whether the potential savings in time and fuel outweigh the growing security concerns.
