Zelensky Warns Airlines to Avoid Russian Airspace Amid Drone Escalation
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Tuesday that Russia's airspace would become "completely unsafe" for civilian aviation as Ukraine intensifies its drone campaign against Russian infrastructure. In his nightly address, Zelensky clarified that Ukraine does not threaten civilian aircraft, but emphasized that drones would operate on a scale that airlines must account for . Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by branding Zelensky's comments "a declaration of state terrorism," accusing Ukraine of terrorist actions while diplomatic efforts remain stalled more than four years into Russia's full-scale invasion .
Key Points
- Ukrainian drones have repeatedly disrupted air traffic at Russian airports, with the frequency of strikes increasing significantly in recent months
- Most Western commercial airlines already avoid Russian airspace, but carriers from China and other countries continue to operate flights over Russia
- Fresh Russian missile and drone strikes killed at least 12 people in Kyiv and surrounding regions ahead of the warning
- Russia has escalated its use of ballistic missiles, which Ukraine struggles to intercept due to ammunition shortages for air defence systems
- Ukraine has responded by striking Russian infrastructure, ports and e-commerce warehouses inside Russian territory
Why It Matters
The escalating drone warfare over Russian territory signals a significant shift in Ukraine's strategy, moving from defensive operations to direct strikes on Russian soil. This development threatens to disrupt global aviation routes and insurance markets while deepening the diplomatic deadlock between Moscow and Kyiv .
The escalating drone warfare over Russian territory signals a significant shift in Ukraine's strategy, moving from defensive operations to direct strikes on Russian soil. This development threatens to disrupt global aviation routes and insurance markets while deepening the diplomatic deadlock between Moscow and Kyiv .