Ukraine urges UN aviation agency to ban flights over Russian airspace

Kyiv has appealed to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to request a comprehensive ban on civilian flights traversing Russian airspace, after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the corridor was becoming increasingly unsafe. The Ukrainian president highlighted a surge in drone activity over Russian territory and said the risk to commercial aircraft was rising as the war intensifies. The call follows a series of recent incidents in which Ukrainian‑operated drones have been detected near Russian airports, prompting concerns among airlines and aviation authorities about potential collisions or hostile engagements.

In response to a marked escalation in Russian missile and air strikes, the Ukrainian government announced plans to step up retaliatory actions, emphasizing that any strikes would be confined to legitimate military targets. Zelensky stressed that the heightened drone operations over Russia would inform the scope and precision of Ukraine’s counter‑offensives, aiming to avoid civilian casualties while degrading Russian military capabilities. The developments come as both sides seek to balance military objectives with the broader implications for regional security and international aviation safety.