Zelensky Warns Russian Airspace Unsafe for Civilian Flights

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on September 1 that Ukrainian drone operations will render Russian airspace "de facto closed" to civilian aviation, urging airlines, insurers, and foreign governments to treat the region as unsafe. The announcement came in an evening address following a major Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed at least 12 people and injured 21 others. Zelensky stated that while Ukraine does not directly target civilian aircraft, the scale of drone activity inside Russia means there will be "drones in Russia's skies on a scale that has to be taken into account." He specifically addressed carriers flying to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other key Russian destinations, emphasizing that the Russian authorities are not adequately disclosing the risks. "Although the Russian authorities do not report this as it should, the Russian sky will de facto be closed," Zelensky said. The Ukrainian leader framed the warning as a consequence of Russia's own actions, pointing to the ongoing aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities. "This is purely Russian terror against civilians.