Ukraine has formally warned the United Nations aviation agency that Russian airspace is becoming increasingly unsafe amid a rise in Ukrainian long-range strikes on targets inside Russia.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said on Wednesday that Kyiv had notified the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) about the growing risks to civil aviation. The ICAO, a United Nations body responsible for setting international aviation standards, had not immediately issued a public response.
The warning comes as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to affect areas far from the front line. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has carried out repeated drone attacks against targets inside Russian territory. Some of the strikes have targeted military and energy infrastructure located hundreds of kilometres from the battlefield.
Sybiga said the security situation had deteriorated because of what he described as Russia’s continuing attacks on Ukraine. He urged travellers and airlines to avoid Russian airspace, arguing that Moscow had not adequately addressed the risks created by the ongoing conflict.
Russia, meanwhile, has continued to launch waves of drone and missile attacks against Ukrainian cities and towns. The repeated attacks have caused casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, while Ukraine has maintained its campaign of strikes against Russian military and strategic targets.
Russian aviation authorities have regularly imposed temporary airport closures and restrictions when Ukrainian drones are detected or suspected to be approaching.
The concerns over air safety are also linked to previous incidents involving civilian aircraft. In 2024, Russian air defences accidentally shot down an Azerbaijani passenger aircraft during a period when Moscow said it was responding to a Ukrainian drone attack. The incident raised renewed international concerns about the dangers faced by civilian aviation in conflict zones.
Ukraine’s own airspace has remained closed to civilian flights since Russia’s invasion. Airlines have instead been required to use alternative routes to avoid the war zone.
Kyiv’s latest notification to the ICAO highlights the wider impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on international aviation. While the warning is focused on Russian airspace, the continuing use of drones and missiles by both sides has created broader concerns about the safety of aircraft operating near areas affected by the fighting.
The ICAO’s response to Ukraine’s notification will be closely watched as the conflict continues and both countries expand the range and frequency of their military operations.
Reader Comments 0