Ukraine has officially notified the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that it considers Russian airspace increasingly unsafe for civil aviation, amid a growing number of military operations and drone attacks linked to the war. The move follows a warning from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who called on airlines, insurers and airport operators to take into account the growing risks associated with drone activity over Russian territory.
According to Kyiv, the expansion of Ukraine’s long-range drone operations inside Russia, combined with military activity and air-defense systems, is creating an increasingly concerning environment for civilian aircraft. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Kyiv had formally notified ICAO and urged international aviation stakeholders to avoid Russian airspace. Ukraine argues that the risks need to be taken more seriously as the war increasingly affects areas far from the front line.
The warning comes as Ukraine steps up drone strikes against military and energy infrastructure deep inside Russian territory, in response to Russian attacks targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Zelensky has nevertheless stressed that Ukraine does not seek to target civilian aircraft. The concern raised by Kyiv is instead linked to the risks created by the growing presence of drones, interception operations and air-defense activity in areas where commercial aircraft continue to operate.
The issue is particularly sensitive because several Western airlines stopped flying over Russia following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, some airlines from countries including China, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states continue to use routes crossing Russian airspace. A further reduction in these flights could therefore affect international connections between Europe and Asia, potentially resulting in longer flight times, altered routes and higher operating costs for airlines.
Ukraine’s warning also comes amid a series of previous incidents and accidents that have heightened concerns about civil aviation in areas affected by armed conflict. Kyiv argues that Russian authorities must provide sufficient information about potential threats and take all necessary measures to protect commercial flights. From Ukraine’s perspective, the growing number of drones and air-defense operations makes it increasingly difficult to guarantee an environment that is sufficiently safe for passenger aircraft.
Moscow rejects this assessment. Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin said that the authorities were continuously strengthening aviation-security measures and protecting airports in coordination with military and security agencies. Russia intends to maintain the operation of its civil aviation sector despite disruptions caused by drone attacks and temporary restrictions imposed at some airports.
The notification sent to ICAO does not, by itself, automatically close Russian airspace. Rather, it is intended to draw the attention of the international organization, airlines, insurers and national aviation authorities to the changing level of risk. Decisions on whether flights should continue operating over Russia ultimately depend on security assessments, regulatory authorities and the individual policies of airlines.
The latest warning highlights how the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war are increasingly extending into international aviation. As drone attacks reach areas far beyond the front line, the security of Russian air corridors has become an issue extending beyond the immediate military sphere. Kyiv is seeking to persuade the international aviation community to reduce its exposure to these risks, while Moscow is attempting to maintain air traffic and demonstrate that its aviation infrastructure remains operational despite the intensification of hostilities.
