Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has warned airlines and passengers that Russian airspace is "completely unsafe." This warning was issued ahead of Ukrainian drone attacks last Tuesday.
Mr Zelensky stated, "We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, and everyone who still uses Russia’s key airports: Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe."
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in spring 2022, most major Western carriers have stopped flying over Russia, rerouting their journeys. Russian airspace is currently closed to approximately 35 countries and territories in response to bans on Russian aircraft in EU airspace and other international restrictions. Ukraine's own airspace has also been closed to civilian aviation since the conflict began.
However, some airlines, mainly from China, Turkey, and Gulf states, continue to operate flights through or to destinations in Russia. Russian airlines like Aeroflot and Jetica also maintain some international routes. Qatar Airways, which flies into Moscow, stated that its operational decisions are guided by continuous monitoring of airspace security and geopolitical developments.
Ukraine's minister of foreign affairs, Andrii Sybiha, announced on X that Ukraine has officially notified the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) about the risk to civil aviation in Russian airspace to prevent "unintended incidents." ICAO reiterated calls for stronger commitments from member states to protect civilian aircraft from risks in conflict zones, noting heightened risks of civil aircraft being targeted or caught in crossfire.