Zelensky urges airlines to avoid Russian airspace

Ukraine’s president warned airlines on Tuesday that Russian airspace is becoming too dangerous as Kyiv steps up drone strikes inside Russia.

Volodymyr Zelensky told airlines using Russian routes—especially carriers from Turkey and China—that the airspace is “effectively closing” and urged them to reroute. He made the remarks in his nightly address and followed up by formally notifying the United Nations of the growing hazard. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin called the warning a “declaration of state terrorism.”

Zelensky stressed that Ukraine does not target civilian planes and has no intention of endangering passengers. He said the rise in Ukrainian drones over Russia will force airlines to treat the airspace as off-limits. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv has also alerted the International Civil Aviation Organization, calling Russian skies unsafe and warning that “the war is returning home to Russia.” FlightRadar24 data on Wednesday showed many flights still passing over Russia, including arrivals and departures at Moscow and St. Petersburg airports.

Several airlines said they are watching the situation closely. Qatar Airways, which flies between Moscow and the U.S. west coast through Russian airspace, said it bases its plans on “rigorous, continuous monitoring” of safety and geopolitical risks. FlyDubai, owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates, said it will adjust its schedules and routes as needed. Ukraine has already disrupted Russian aviation by attacking energy sites and logistics hubs, forcing airports to close temporarily under Moscow’s “Kovyor” air-defense plan whenever drones are detected. Analysts at Osprey Flight Solutions warned clients that the risk to civilian flights is rising as Ukraine widens its drone campaign deep inside Russia.