Key facts
- Russia's Transport Ministry has provided foreign airlines with clarifications on safety measures for its airports and airspace.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that drone activity has made Russian airspace dangerous.
- Russia's transport minister assured that solutions are in place to prevent significant disruption to civil aviation.
- Some airlines have reported flight cancellations and delays due to the situation.
- Russia's civil aviation authority stated that air transport infrastructure continues to operate normally.
Russia has pledged to prevent disruptions to civil aviation following warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that drone activity has rendered Russian airspace unsafe. Zelenskiy advised airlines and insurers that the ongoing conflict, initiated by Russia, is now impacting its own skies, though he stated civil aviation is not being targeted.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that the International Civil Aviation Organization had been officially notified of the safety concerns. While European and U.S. carriers avoid Russian airspace due to the war, airlines from countries including China, Turkey, and the UAE continue to use it.
Russia's transport minister, Andrei Nikitin, stated that flight safety and airport security requirements are continuously being enhanced, and solutions are in place to manage potential issues. He expressed confidence that significant disruptions would be avoided, citing close cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the Russian National Guard.
Russia's civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, issued a statement asserting that Ukraine's notifications to international aviation bodies lack legal force and contravene the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The authority maintained that Russia's air transport and ground infrastructure are operating as planned.
Data from Flightradar24 indicated disruptions at Moscow's main airports on Wednesday, with some airlines cancelling flights. Flydubai stated it is closely monitoring the situation and adjusting its schedules, prioritizing customer and crew safety. Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines cited technical and operational reasons for cancelling some flights to Russia.
Osprey Flight Solutions, an aviation risk advisory firm, has alerted clients that while most Ukrainian drone and missile strikes are expected within 300 km of the border, daily attacks deeper within Russia, including near Moscow and St. Petersburg, are likely through 2026.