Ukraine pushes for global ban on flights over Russia as drone war escalates

Ukraine has asked the world's aviation watchdog to push for a ban on civilian flights through Russian airspace as escalating drone attacks deepen concerns over the safety of commercial aviation.

The move represents a significant expansion of the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war beyond the battlefield, potentially affecting international airlines that continue to fly to or through Russia.

Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Mykola Kalashnyk has written to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), asking it to encourage aviation authorities and airlines to halt civilian aircraft operations within Russian airspace.

The request follows a warning by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russia's skies are becoming increasingly dangerous as Kyiv expands its long-range drone campaign.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine was not targeting civilian aircraft but warned airlines, insurers and aviation authorities that the growing presence of Ukrainian drones over Russian territory had significantly changed the risk environment.

“The war started by Russia is closing its own skies,” Zelenskyy said.

Russia rejects Ukraine's warning

Moscow has rejected Kyiv's claims that its airspace is becoming unsafe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of engaging in “state terrorism”, while Russian authorities insisted they were strengthening aviation security and would prevent major disruption to civilian flights.

Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin said authorities were working closely with the country's Defence Ministry and National Guard to protect civil aviation.

But the dispute comes as Ukrainian drones penetrate increasingly deep into Russian territory.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil refineries, fuel terminals and other infrastructure in an effort to increase the economic cost of the war for Moscow.

Russia said its air defences destroyed 130 Ukrainian drones overnight into Wednesday across 11 Russian regions, the Black Sea and Crimea.

Flights disrupted in Moscow

The growing drone threat is already having consequences for air travel.

Flight-tracking data cited by Reuters showed significant disruption at Moscow's major airports on Wednesday.

Sheremetyevo International Airport recorded 21 cancelled flights and 235 delays, while Vnukovo Airport had 22 cancellations and 94 delays.

Pegasus Airlines also cancelled some flights between Turkey and Russia, although the carrier attributed the changes to technical and operational reasons.

Unlike European and American airlines, which largely stopped using Russian airspace following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, several international carriers continue operating flights to or across Russia.

These include airlines from China, Turkey and Gulf countries.

A wider restriction on Russian airspace could therefore have significant consequences for international aviation, forcing some carriers onto longer routes and potentially increasing fuel and operating costs.

Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine

Ukraine's aviation warning comes as Russia has intensified aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Russian attacks on Wednesday killed two civilians and wounded six others in Dnipro, according to Ukrainian officials.

Odesa, Kyiv and surrounding areas were also targeted.

Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 174 attack drones alongside ballistic and air-launched missiles.

A residential building in Odesa was damaged, while eight people were reported wounded there.

Kyiv has now endured aerial attacks for seven consecutive days.

Russia, meanwhile, reported casualties from Ukrainian drone attacks in its Belgorod border region, saying two people were killed and 16 others wounded.

The increasingly intense exchange demonstrates how both countries are relying on long-range drones to take the war far beyond the front line.

Civil aviation becomes new pressure point

Ukraine's request to ICAO introduces another dimension to Kyiv's strategy.

Rather than limiting its campaign to military and economic targets, Ukraine is attempting to increase the wider cost to Russia of continuing the war by making international companies reconsider operating within Russian airspace.

The implications could stretch far beyond Russia and Ukraine.

Russian airspace historically provides important routes connecting Europe and Asia. Restrictions can force airlines to fly longer routes, increasing fuel consumption, flight times and operating costs.

For passengers, sustained disruption could eventually mean longer journeys, schedule changes and potentially higher fares on affected international routes.

The aviation dispute is unfolding as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled and fighting enters another period of escalation.

With Russia intensifying attacks on Ukrainian cities and Ukraine expanding its long-range drone operations inside Russia, the skies above the two countries are increasingly becoming another major front in a war now well into its fifth year.

Category: International