Zelensky warns airlines Russian airspace is becoming fully unsafe

September 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned airlines and insurers on September 1 that Russian airspace is becoming fully unsafe due to drone activity. He said Ukraine's Foreign Ministry and other agencies will provide full information to international bodies about the dangers. The warning comes as Ukraine begins a campaign to block Russian airspace.

Key Facts

Zelensky warned every airline using Russian airspace and every insurer that Russian skies are becoming fully unsafe.
He said drones will be present in Russian skies and this must be taken into account.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry and other agencies will provide full information to international structures about the dangers in Russian airspace.
Zelensky called on foreign ambassadors in Kyiv and Moscow to convey the warning to their governments.
Ukraine has not announced a formal closure of Russian airspace, and Zelensky did not name specific routes, timelines, or affected airlines.

Zelensky's Warning

In an evening address on September 1, Zelensky said attacks by Ukrainian forces on targets inside Russia make all airspace over Russia unsafe. He warned every airline using Russian airspace, every insurer, and everyone still using key Russian airports that Russian skies are becoming fully unsafe. Zelensky said drones will be in Russian skies and this must be taken into account. He added that although Russian authorities are not reporting it properly, Russian airspace will de facto be closed because the war Russia started is closing its skies.

Diplomatic Outreach

Zelensky said it is important that foreign ambassadors in Ukraine and Moscow hear the information, as well as airlines flying to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other key Russian destinations. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry and relevant institutions will provide full information to international structures, he said. He called on foreign ambassadors in Kyiv and Moscow to convey the warning to their governments.

Civilian Aviation Safety

Zelensky stressed that Ukraine does not threaten civilian aviation as such and does not want the death of innocent people. He said there is no place for civilian aviation among drones. Ukraine has not announced a formal closure of Russian airspace, and Zelensky did not name specific routes, timelines, or affected airlines.