Zelensky says airlines should avoid Russian airspace as Ukraine escalates drone operations

What the report says

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has warned airlines and insurers that Russian airspace is becoming unsafe as Kyiv steps up drone attacks inside Russia, according to BBC World News. In a video address, he said carriers still operating to Russian airports should take account of the growing risk, especially on routes involving major cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg.

The BBC reported that most Western airlines already avoid flying over Russia because of the full-scale war, but some carriers, including airlines from China and Gulf states, continue to use the route because it can shorten flight times and reduce fuel costs. Zelensky argued that Ukraine is not targeting civilian aircraft, but said drones would increasingly be present in Russian skies as the war expands deeper into Russian territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Zelensky’s remarks as a “declaration of state terrorism” and said Russia would continue intensifying its own attacks on Ukraine. The BBC also noted that Russian strikes have killed civilians in recent days, while Russian officials have said they are preparing larger attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure.

The warning matters because it highlights how the conflict is affecting international aviation far beyond the battlefield. The article also recalled previous air disasters involving Russian-linked incidents, underscoring long-standing safety concerns around the region.