Ukraine has officially informed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that Russia’s airspace is unsafe for civil aviation due to increased military activity.
This was stated by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
The foreign minister urged all airlines and governments to avoid flights over Russian territory. He said Russia is deliberately ignoring the existing threats that have arisen as a result of its own aggression against Ukraine and have already led to several incidents in recent years.
Sybiha stressed that, amid a sharp escalation of Russian terror against Ukraine, Russia’s airspace is becoming increasingly dangerous.
“Notifying ICAO, all airlines and governments of the need to exercise caution is our responsible decision, even if Russia refuses to fulfil its duty to inform them. We seek to prevent unintentional incidents. The war is coming home to Russia. Ukraine is exercising its inherent right to self-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter,” the foreign minister stressed.
- On 1 September, Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Russia and airlines that Russian skies would be dangerous because of drones.