Zelensky Warns Airlines: Russian Airspace 'Completely Unsafe' Due to Drones

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a serious alert, asserting that Russian airspace is increasingly "completely unsafe" for civilian flights due to the heightened activity of Ukrainian drones. During his nightly address, he urged airlines, insurers, and travelers utilizing Russian airports to be aware of the drone menace, clarifying that while Ukraine does not target civilian aircraft, its drone operations in Russian airspace will persist at an undeniable scale. "Drone-infested skies are no place for civilian aviation," he remarked, adding that "the sky over Russia is currently for drones... as long as the war continues." This statement coincides with intensified long-range assaults from both sides, with Russian air traffic frequently disrupted by Ukrainian drones. In retaliation, Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled Ukraine's actions as "state terrorism." Meanwhile, U.S.-led diplomatic initiatives remain stagnant more than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion. This warning underscores the escalating influence of drone warfare on civilian safety and international air travel, raising alarms about the security of flights over Russian territory.