Key facts
- Ukraine plans to use a large-scale drone campaign to effectively close Russian airspace.
- President Zelenskyy stated the goal is to create constant risk over Russian cities, forcing foreign businesses to cut air connections.
- This strategy builds on "Operation Carpet," which previously led to temporary airport closures in Russia.
- Ukraine has informed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that Russian airspace is unsafe.
- Russia's President Vladimir Putin has labeled Ukraine's actions as "state terrorism."
Ukraine intends to make Russian airspace unusable for civilian aviation through an intensified drone campaign, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He indicated that the skies over Russia would become a "zone of constant risk," compelling foreign businesses to cease air connections with the country. This initiative expands upon "Operation Carpet," previously conducted by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) to disrupt Russian airport operations by flying drones overhead, thereby forcing temporary closures without directly striking infrastructure. Reports suggest this earlier operation led to at least 217 temporary airport closures in Russia during 2025, disrupting travel for tens of thousands of passengers. The new plan, described as a "strategic aviation blockade," aims for a more permanent paralysis of key airfields. Ukraine has officially notified the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) about the safety concerns in Russian airspace due to heightened military activity. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of "state terrorism."