Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Russia Reassures Foreign Airlines Over Safety Of Airspace
Russia told foreign airlines how it keeps its airports and airspace safe.
The Transport Ministry said airlines had asked for these explanations.
Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin said foreign carriers understand Russia’s rules and safety standards.
Russia’s aviation regulator said flights were continuing normally.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gave a different warning.
He said Ukrainian drones had made Russian airspace dangerous.
European and U.S. airlines have mostly avoided Russian airspace since the Ukraine war began in 2022.
Airlines from China, Turkey and Gulf countries still use some of that airspace.
The two sides therefore disagree about how safe Russian airspace is for flights.
Russia’s Transport Ministry said it clarified airport and airspace safety measures for foreign airlines.
Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin said the clarifications followed requests from foreign carriers.
Russia’s aviation regulator said air transport and ground infrastructure were operating normally.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that drones had made Russian airspace dangerous.
Airlines from China, Turkey and Gulf states continue using Russian airspace, while European and U.S. carriers generally avoid it.
- Who
- Russia’s Transport Ministry and aviation regulator, foreign airlines, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
- What
- Russia provided foreign airlines with clarifications about airport and airspace safety measures.
- When
- The clarifications were reported on Thursday, September 3; Zelenskiy issued his warning on Tuesday and the regulator responded on Wednesday.
- Where
- Russia’s airports and airspace.
- Why
- The ministry said it responded to requests from foreign carriers, amid Zelenskiy’s warning that Russian airspace was unsafe because of Ukrainian drones.
Russian Authorities
Ukrainian Warning
Airspace safety
Russian Authorities
Russia’s Transport Ministry said it explained its safety measures to foreign airlines, while Rosaviatsiya said Russian aviation infrastructure was operating normally.
Ukrainian Warning
Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned airlines and insurers that Ukrainian drones had made Russian airspace dangerous to use and effectively closed.
Flight operations
Russian Authorities
Russia said airports were continuing to receive and dispatch flights, including flights operated by foreign airlines.
Ukrainian Warning
Zelenskiy’s warning indicated that airlines should treat Russian airspace as unsafe.
- Russian official
- Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin
- Russian position
- Air transport and ground infrastructure continue to operate normally.
- Ukrainian warning
- Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukrainian drones had made Russian airspace dangerous and effectively closed.
- Foreign airlines using Russian airspace
- Airlines from China, Turkey and Gulf states still use it.
- Airlines avoiding Russian airspace
- European and U.S. carriers have avoided it since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022.
- Regulator
- Rosaviatsiya issued a statement contradicting Zelenskiy’s warning.