Zelenskyy: Ukraine beginning to shut down Russian airspace
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Russian airspace is becoming increasingly dangerous for civilian aviation due to the large-scale presence of drones. Ukraine is warning international airlines and insurers to take these risks into account, according to a statement by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The head of state addressed all airlines that use Russian airspace, as well as insurers that rely on key Russian airports, warning that "Russian skies are becoming completely unsafe."
"Ukraine does not pose a threat to civilian aviation as such — to any civilian aircraft. It's simply that drones will be present in Russian skies, and this must be taken into account. Although the Russian authorities are not properly informing the public about it, Russian airspace will effectively begin to close: the war started by Russia is closing its own skies," the president said.
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine does not want the loss of innocent lives, and that all partners should take into account that "the safe moments in Russian skies are over."
"It is important that ambassadors of countries working here in Ukraine, as well as ambassadors working in Moscow, hear this. Every one of them knows exactly what Russia's war means for our country and our people, and they must convey this information to their capitals," he said.
No place for aviation among drones
The president noted that airlines currently flying to Moscow, St. Petersburg and other major Russian destinations should also hear this message.
"Ukraine's Foreign Ministry and relevant institutions will provide international organizations with full information about the dangers in Russian airspace. Civil aviation has no place among drones," the head of state stressed.
He added that Ukraine is a country that seeks peace and recalled that Kyiv had refrained from striking Russia when requested to do so by its partners.
"Safety will return to Russia's skies. It will return when a genuine movement toward peace begins. Russia's skies are now for drones, not for civilian aviation, as long as the war continues," Zelenskyy said.
Earlier, media reports said that Ukrainian officials had allegedly proposed that Zelenskyy authorize drone attacks on Moscow airports earlier this year, but the plan was put on hold.
The proposal reportedly envisioned launching up to 1,000 drones per day at Moscow's airports and surrounding areas. The plan called for low-cost autonomous drones capable of identifying and striking targets without operator involvement.
