Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a concerning warning for the airlines as he threatens to intensify drone attacks on Russia.
According to South China Post, Zelenskyy on Tuesday, September 2, warned airlines to avoid Russian airspace, describing it as “completely unsafe” during the war period.
The two countries, who have been at war since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago, have intensified their deadly attacks in recent months as diplomatic efforts led by the US remained stalled.
In a nightly address on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said, “Today, we want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, and everyone who still uses Russia’s key airports: Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe.”
“Ukraine does not threaten civilian aviation as such – not a single civilian aircraft. There will simply be drones in Russia’s skies on a scale that has to be taken into account. Drone-infested skies are no place for civilian aviation. The sky over Russia is currently for drones … as long as the war continues,” he added.
Russian airports have been dealing with the air traffic issues, which were repeatedly disrupted by Ukrainian drones.
Putin calls Ukraine ‘terrorists’ after Zelenskyy warning
Russian leader Vladimir Putin hit back at Zelenskyy and accused Ukraine of “state terrorism.”
In a televised news conference, Putin said, “They are asking us to resume negotiations … but you don’t negotiate with terrorists. We in Ukraine do not want innocent lives to be lost. That is why we are warning our partners: the safe days in Russia’s skies are over.”
“The adversary began delivering strikes on our civilian facilities, including on refineries. Did it cause damage? And why? Among other reasons, and above all, because they were not protected. Russian forces, despite everything, are increasing the tempo of their offensive in the zone of the special military operation,” he added.
It is worth noting Russia has stepped up its use of ballistic missiles that Kyiv is struggling to intercept due to a lack of ammunition for its air defense systems.
