Ukraine warns ICAO of flight safety risks in Russian skies
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Mykola Kalashnyk has sent a letter to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar Gómez warning of safety risks for flights operating over Russian territory.
The Ukrainian side called on aviation authorities and international carriers to adopt additional security measures, including a complete avoidance of Russian airspace. In the letter, Kalashnyk stated that Ukraine is acting under its right to self-defense pursuant to Article 51 of the UN Charter, adding that the presence of civilian aircraft in Russian airspace carries elevated risks amid military escalation.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that the notification had been submitted to ICAO and urged airlines to avoid Russian skies. Sybiha noted that Kyiv aims to alert international civil aviation authorities and governments to exercise caution in order to prevent unintended incidents.
The warning follows statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who cautioned airlines about increased risks in Russian airspace and signaled that long-range drone operations over Russian territory would continue.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the statements as a bid for state terrorism. The Russian Transport Ministry stated that domestic aviation authorities will prevent major disruptions to civil aviation operations.
Overnight on 2 September 2026, major flight disruptions occurred at Moscow's Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo airports, with at least 77 flights reported delayed or canceled, including 40 at Sheremetyevo, 20 at Domodedovo, and 17 at Vnukovo. Scheduled flights to Sochi, Antalya, and Sharm El-Sheikh faced significant delays. Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines also canceled select flights to Russia, citing airspace restrictions.
Meanwhile, Uzbek carriers Uzbekistan Airways and Centrum Air continue operating scheduled flights to Russia as normal.
Aleksey Zhuravlyov, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee, accused the Ukrainian president of threatening civilians, emphasizing that foreign nationals from various countries are aboard civilian flights operating in Russian airspace and airports. Zhuravlyov also called for severe retaliatory measures, mentioning the potential deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to stop anticipated attacks.
