Zelensky says airlines should avoid Russian airspace as Ukraine escalates drone operations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a warning to international airlines to avoid Russian airspace, stating that ongoing Ukrainian drone operations will render the region unsafe for the duration of the conflict. The announcement comes as both nations significantly escalate their long-range aerial campaigns against one another.

While some international carriers, particularly those based in China and Gulf states, continue to utilize Russian flight paths, the escalation has drawn sharp condemnation from Moscow. Russian officials have labeled the Ukrainian drone strategy as state terrorism and have pledged to intensify retaliatory attacks against Ukraine in response.