Kathmandu— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that the presence of Ukrainian drones in Russia’s airspace poses a significant threat to civil aviation. In his nightly address on Tuesday, Zelenskyy stated that while Ukraine does not intend to target civilian aircraft, the skies over Russia are becoming increasingly unsafe due to drone activity. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by calling these comments “a declaration of state terrorism.” The warnings have raised questions about the future of air travel and operations through Russian airspace.
Zelenskyy's Warnings
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian drones are now operating extensively in Russia’s airspace, making it unsafe for civilian aviation. During his nightly address on Tuesday, he stated, “Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe.” He emphasized that while Ukraine does not intend to target civil aviation, the presence of drones must be taken into account by airlines and insurers.
Impact on Airlines
The warnings from Zelenskyy have significant implications for global air travel. Analysts note that Russian airspace remains a critical route between Europe and Northeast Asia, with over 360,000 flights per year previously passing through Siberia. Since the start of the war in February 2022, many European and US carriers have avoided this route, leading to longer flight times and increased operational costs. Chinese, Turkish, and Gulf state airlines continue to use Russian airspace, giving them a competitive advantage.
Alternative Routes
The disruption in Russian airspace has led to alternative routes being used through the Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as the Middle East/Red Sea/Gulf region. However, these corridors are already congested due to ongoing conflicts and regional tensions. Azerbaijan, for example, has seen a significant increase in air traffic, handling an average of 695 flights per day by the end of 2025, up from 278 before the war.
(With inputs from Al Jazeera)
Originally published on abcnews.com.np.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्