Zelenskyy warns Russian airspace is becoming unsafe for airlines

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned airlines and aviation insurers that Russian airspace is becoming increasingly unsafe amid growing Ukrainian drone activity.

In his evening address on 1 September, Zelenskyy said Russian airspace could effectively become closed to civilian aviation as drone attacks and temporary restrictions increasingly affect airports and air routes.

He stressed that Ukraine does not intend to target civilian aircraft, but said airlines and insurers must take the changing security situation into account.

“The Russian sky will effectively be closing – the war started by Russia is closing its skies,” Zelenskyy said.

His comments do not represent an official closure of Russian airspace, but highlight the growing operational risks for airlines using Russian airspace and major Russian airports.

The warning follows another major Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine, while Russia also reported extensive Ukrainian drone activity over its territory.