Zelensky says airlines should avoid Russian airspace as Ukraine escalates drone operations - BBC News

Chinese and Gulf state airlines are among those still using Russian airspace. Meanwhile, Russia says it will intensify its own attacks on Ukraine.

Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Volodymyr Zelensky says "the Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous"

Ukraine's president has told airlines that Russian airspace will be "effectively closing" as his country escalates its drone strikes.

"We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, everyone who still uses key Russian airports: the Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous," Volodymyr Zelensky said. Ukraine has since formally notified the UN of the risks to civilian aviation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the comments amounted to a "declaration of state terrorism".

Most Western commercial airlines do not fly over Russia because of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, but carriers in countries like Turkey and China do.