‘The sky is for drones’: Zelensky warns Russian skies unsafe for airlines

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky warned airlines and insurance companies on Tuesday that the presence of Ukrainian drones had made Russian skies dangerous to use and that they were effectively closed. "Today, we want to warn ‌every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, everyone who still uses key Rus

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Tuesday that his country's drones would make Russia's airspace "completely unsafe" for the duration of the war, drawing accusations of "state terrorism" from Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

People watch the smoke rising over a logistics centre in Kolpino, outside Saint Petersburg after being hit by Ukrainian drones early on Aug 23, 2026. (Photo: AFP/Stringer) 02 Sep 2026 03:31PM Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned airlines and insurance companies on Tuesday (Sep 1) that the presence of Ukrainia

Zelensky said Russian airspace is becoming increasingly unsafe as Ukraine steps up strikes on military and war-supporting targets, while still pausing operations when partners request diplomatic windows.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned airlines and passengers that Russian airspace would be "completely unsafe" and filled with Ukrainian drones for the duration of the war.

Zelensky warns airlines Russian skies not safe due to Ukraine drones  euractiv.com

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by branding Zelensky’s comments “a declaration of state terrorism”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned airlines that Russian airspace is becoming unsafe because “there will simply be drones in Russia’s skies on a scale that has to be taken into account.”