Ukraine urges airlines to avoid Russian airspace over safety risks
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (photo: facebook.com/andrij.sybiha)
The International Civil Aviation Organization has officially responded to Ukraine's letter about the risks of flying in Russian airspace. Kyiv has urged airlines and insurers to leave Russia, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has officially responded to Ukraine's letter regarding the risks of continuing flights in Russian airspace. According to Sybiha, Ukraine is grateful that the organization communicated a clear position on the issue to all its member states.
The minister stressed that Ukraine remains committed to protecting civil aviation — something its Defense Forces have been doing since the start of the full-scale invasion by intercepting Russian drones and missiles. According to him, the threat extends far beyond Ukraine and regularly disrupts air traffic in NATO countries.
Sybiha stressed that it is Russia that is deliberately terrorizing airspace and civilians through regular missile strikes and drone incidents.
Protecting civil aviation and ensuring airspace safety must remain a shared responsibility, he said. The minister urged international airlines, insurers and other aviation companies to take the threats seriously and cease operations in Russia.
On September 2, Ukraine officially warned ICAO about the dangers of flying in Russian airspace. At the time, Sybiha said that Russian airspace was becoming increasingly dangerous due to the escalation of the war and urged everyone to avoid it.
