Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned airlines, insurers and foreign governments about the growing risks of using Russian airspace. He stressed that Ukraine does not target civilian aircraft, but said the expanding presence of Ukrainian drones over Russia means commercial operators should take the danger increasingly seriously.
Zelensky issued the warning in his evening address on September 1. His message was directed primarily at airlines still using Russian airspace and major airports in Moscow, St Petersburg and other cities, as well as companies insuring those operations.
The Ukrainian president said Kyiv poses no threat to civilian aviation. At the same time, he made clear that Ukrainian drones will continue operating over Russian territory and that airlines need to factor this into their risk assessments.
Zelensky warns airlines and insurers
According to Zelensky, Russian airspace is becoming increasingly unsafe and could effectively close as a consequence of the war launched by Russia.
The warning was aimed not only at airlines but also at insurers and governments whose citizens continue to travel to Russia. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other state institutions are expected to provide international organisations with information about risks to civil aviation.
Zelensky also called on ambassadors based in Kyiv and Moscow to pass the warning to their governments and relevant aviation companies.
Ukraine says civilian aircraft are not targets
Zelensky drew a clear distinction between military operations and civilian aviation. He said Ukraine does not regard any civilian aircraft as a target and presented the warning as an effort to reduce risks to passengers and crews.
The concern is the increasing number of Ukrainian drones operating over Russian territory. Long-range attacks have repeatedly reached deep inside Russia and have already led to temporary disruptions and closures at Russian airports.
Zelensky argued that the consequences of the war cannot remain confined to Ukrainian territory. Kyiv says it uses drones and missiles against Russian military targets and parts of the economy supporting the war effort as part of its right to self-defence.
War increasingly affects Russian aviation
The warning comes as aerial operations intensify on both sides. Russia has stepped up missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks. On September 1, Reuters reported that 12 people had been killed in another series of Russian strikes in the Kyiv region.
Ukraine has responded with frequent drone attacks on targets inside Russia, including facilities linked to the oil industry. The growing reach of those operations means the war is increasingly affecting civilian transport as well as military and industrial infrastructure.
Kyiv says drone operations can be paused for diplomacy
Zelensky also said Ukraine is prepared to temporarily suspend drone operations on specified routes when requested by international partners for diplomatic reasons.
According to the Ukrainian president, Kyiv refrained from strikes on Moscow and St Petersburg on August 25, 26 and 27 following a request from the United States. He indicated that similar pauses could be introduced around future diplomatic initiatives.
For airlines, however, Kyiv’s message is clear: as long as the war and long-range drone operations continue, flying through Russian airspace will carry growing risks.
Sources: Office of the President of Ukraine, Reuters.
