Zelensky warns allies and airlines that Russian airspace ‘will effectively be closing’

Ukraine is warning the world that airlines and other civilian aircraft must cease operations in Russian airspace or risk being caught in crossfire.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an address on Tuesday evening in which he proclaimed that the “safe days in Russia’s skies are over” and “Russian airspace will effectively be closing” in the coming days as drones continue to proliferate and strike across the border.“We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, and everyone who still uses Russia’s key airports: Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe. Ukraine does not threaten civilian aviation as such — not a single civilian aircraft,” the president explained. “There will simply be drones in Russia’s skies on a scale that has to be taken into account.” “It is important that this is heard by the ambassadors of countries represented here in Ukraine, as well as by ambassadors working in Moscow. Everyone of them knows exactly what Russia’s war means for our country and our people, and they must convey this information to their capitals,” he continued. “It is important that the airlines currently flying to airports primarily in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other key destinations in Russia hear this as well.”Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives to welcome leaders during a Ukrainian and Nordic-Baltic countries summit in Kyiv, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine will never target civilian aircraft, regardless of airspace, but said the massive amount of unmanned aerial vehicles is beginning to render the region too dangerous to navigate. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will offer data about the placement of drones at any given time upon request from allies.The jarring declaration comes after a massive overnight assault that killed 12 people in Ukraine and injured at least a dozen more.Russia launched more than 200 drones and a lethal combination of “anti-radar, ballistic, and cruise missiles” on Kyiv. The assault began around 6 p.m. local time and targeted Ukraine’s Kyiv and Odesa regions.The attacks reportedly targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure in and around Kyiv, continuing Russia’s trend of attacks on nonmilitary targets.The airstrikes marked the latest in a string of escalating attacks by Russia on Ukraine over the last two weeks. Monday’s attack was the sixth straight day that Russia bombarded Kyiv. Emergency personnel respond to the aftermath of Russian strikes on Ukraine. (photo: Zelensky X account) Ukraine is working to make the invasion as costly for the Russian government as possible, striking military and logistical sites within range of their drones and ballistics.UKRAINE REVEALS INTELLIGENCE THAT RUSSIA IS PLANNING NEW GROUND OFFENSIVE ON CAPITALKyiv launched a drone attack on the Russian port of Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea, Russian officials reported on Tuesday morning. The major oil hub was set ablaze in the bombardment, which lasted approximately four hours.The mayor of Moscow said approximately 21 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted while approaching the capital city around the same time.Between Monday night and Tuesday morning, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted at least 516 drones.