Zelenskyy said the increased presence of Ukrainian drones in Russian airspace has forced companies involved in aviation to reconsider the risks of operating in the country. He warned that those seeking to continue using Russian airspace should carefully assess the changing security situation.
The Ukrainian leader stressed that his country does not seek to endanger civilian aviation. However, he said the increasing activity of drones over Russian territory is a development that cannot be ignored.
Zelenskyy also accused Russian authorities of failing to consistently disclose the full extent of aviation disruptions caused by drone activity. Despite limited public information, he said the operations have had a noticeable impact on the functioning of Russia’s airspace.
The comments come as Russia continues to launch missile and drone attacks against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, while Ukraine has increasingly targeted military and strategic sites inside Russia with its own drones.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly described long-range drone strikes as an important part of Ukraine’s response to Russian attacks. Kyiv says the operations are intended not only to hit military and strategic targets but also to place pressure on Russia and undermine its ability to sustain the war.
The expanding use of drones has added a new dimension to the conflict, with both sides increasingly relying on unmanned systems to strike targets beyond the immediate battlefield. The development has also raised concerns about the wider impact of the war on civilian infrastructure and air travel.
