"We want to warn all airlines using Russian airspace, all insurance companies, and all individuals still using key Russian airports that the Russian sky is becoming extremely dangerous", Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on the evening of 1/9.

He stated that Ukraine is not threatening civilian airlines, but "unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) will appear in Russian skies, and those involved need to heed this warning".

"Although the Russian government has not issued a specific announcement, Russian airspace will be de facto closed. Russia is closing its own sky with the war it initiated", President Zelensky added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on 16/7. *AFP*

Russian President Vladimir Putin immediately responded, calling the statements from his Ukrainian counterpart "a declaration of war".

"They are asking us to restart negotiations, but no one negotiates with those who threaten", he said.

During a subsequent press conference on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan, President Putin also commented on information suggesting that the Ukrainian military had used UK-made drones to attack targets on Russian territory.

President Putin speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on 1/9. *AP*

When asked if Russia would strike British military facilities if the British government continued to supply drones to Ukraine, Putin did not rule out this option, but told reporters that it was "a military secret".

These escalating threats in the aerial conflict between Russia and Ukraine could pose risks to airlines.

Fire erupting at a strike-hit area in Kyiv, Ukraine on 8/8. *AFP*

Aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions warned clients that while most Ukrainian drone and missile strikes are likely to occur within 300 km of the border, daily attacks deep inside Russia, including areas near Moskva and St. Petersburg, are almost certain to continue throughout 2026.

"Ukrainian deep strikes into Russian territory could further increase in the short term. In areas related to the Ukraine conflict, the risk of miscalculation or mistaken targets is significant", the company noted.

Vu Hoang (According to Reuters, AFP, AP)