In brief
In a nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned airline operators that Russian airspace is becoming dangerous, urging them to avoid flights over Russia as the country escalates drone strikes. Ukraine formally notified the UN and the ICAO of the risks, with Russia's president characterising the warning as a “declaration of state terrorism.” While most Western carriers have long avoided Russian routes, airlines from Turkey, China, Qatar, Pegasus, and FlyDubai are monitoring the situation closely, with some canceling or adjusting flights. The heightened airspace threat comes amid reports of drone attacks on Russian energy facilities and commerce centres, and increases in cancellations at major Russian airports. As Ukraine asserts it does not intend to target civilian aviation, the international flight community continues to seek clear guidance on the safety of Russian routes.
Ukraine's president has told airlines that Russian airspace will be "effectively closing" as his country escalates its drone strikes.
"We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, everyone who still uses key Russian airports: the Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a nightly video address on Tuesday.
Ukraine has formally notified the United Nations of the risks to civilian aviation and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha added that the country had officially declared Russian airspace unsuitable for commercial flights.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by calling the warnings a “declaration of state terrorism” and dismissed the Ukrainian claims as agitational tactics.
While most Western airlines already avoid Russian routes, carriers from Turkey, China, Qatar Airways, Pegasus and FlyDubai are monitoring the situation closely. Quartz Airways is guided by continuous safety assessments, Pegasus cancelled flights on Tuesday and Wednesday but will resume scheduled operations later, and FlyDubai will adjust schedules as needed.
Flight tracking services such as FlightRadar24 reported that planes continued to fly over Russia with few cancellations, even as some airports experienced delays.
Ukraine’s drone attacks have intensified, targeting energy facilities and commercial depots within Russian territory, and at times forcing Moscow’s major airports to halt arrivals and departures. The government states that Ukraine does not intend to endanger civilian aviation directly and is working to prevent unintended incidents.
The international flight community remains vigilant as Ukrainian strikes, which include drones and missiles, continue across borders, heightening concerns for air travel safety amid the ongoing conflict.
