Ukraine has officially informed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) about the danger posed by Russian airspace to civil aviation due to increased military activity, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha reported.
«We urge everyone to avoid it. Russia deliberately ignores the existing threats resulting from its aggression against Ukraine, which has already led to several incidents in recent years. Amid a sharp escalation of Russia’s terror against Ukraine, Russian airspace is becoming increasingly dangerous», Andriy Sybiha wrote on the X platform on Wednesday.
He also stressed that Ukraine is exercising its inherent right to self‑defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and that the war «is returning to Russia».
Warning for airlines and governments
«This is our responsible decision to inform ICAO, all airlines, and governments so that they exercise caution — even if Russia refuses to fulfil its duty to inform them. We want to prevent unintentional incidents», he stressed.
As reported, in an evening video address on September 1, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is warning every airline that uses Russian airspace, as well as all operators of key Russian airports, that Russian skies are becoming completely unsafe, while Ukraine does not threaten civil aviation. The president added that, although Russian authorities do not report the situation as required, «the Russian sky is de facto closing: the war unleashed by Russia is closing its sky».
The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, supported Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the same day, stating: «The Russian sky is no longer safe. This is a new reality that we are officially warning international airlines, insurers, and partners about».
Source: Interfax-Ukraine
