Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Tuesday that Russian airspace has become perilous for aviation due to the presence of Ukrainian drones. “Today, we want to alert every airline operating in Russian airspace, every insurer, and all those still using key Russian airports: the skies over Russia are becoming completely unsafe,” Zelensky stated in his evening video message.
He emphasized that Ukraine does not pose a threat to civilian aviation, but acknowledged, “there will be drones in the skies over Russia, and this must be taken into account.” The president further noted that while Russian authorities are not properly communicating the situation, “the Russian airspace will effectively close. The war initiated by Russia is closing its own sky,” he added.
Intense Russian Attacks on Kyiv
Zelensky’s warning comes on the sixth consecutive day of intense Russian assaults on Kyiv. On Tuesday, the Russian government renewed its call for diplomats and foreign citizens to evacuate the Ukrainian capital amid escalating attacks.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, reiterated in a press conference, “I want to reiterate that the recommendation made to the entire diplomatic corps and foreign citizens in Kyiv to evacuate due to systematic and ongoing attacks by the armed forces against Ukraine’s military infrastructure remains in effect, if not more urgent.”
In response to the Russian strikes, Ukraine has conducted frequent attacks on economic targets within Russia, including the oil industry and logistics centers of major online retailers.
Both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians.
