Ukraine has formally informed the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) that Russia's airspace is unsafe for civilian traffic, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday.
“Ukraine has officially notified ICAO that the Russian airspace is not safe for civilian aviation because of increased military activity. We urge everyone to avoid it,” Sybiha said on X.
He said Russia had been “deliberately ignoring the existing threats” created by its all-out war against Ukraine, arguing that the risks had already resulted in several aviation incidents in recent years.
“This is our responsible decision to notify ICAO and all airlines, and governments to take caution — even if Russia refuses to fulfill its responsibility to inform them. We want to prevent unintended incidents,” Sybiha said.
The formal notification came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned airlines, insurers and businesses using Russian main airports that the country’s airspace is now becoming increasingly dangerous as Kyiv expands its long-range drone operations.
