Zelenskyy warns airlines over unsafe Russian airspace amid escalating drone strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned international airlines and insurers that Russian airspace is becoming "completely unsafe" as Kyiv expands its long-range drone operations near major transit hubs. While clarifying that Ukrainian forces will not target civilian passenger aviation, Zelenskyy highlighted increasing operational hazards within Russia as long-range strikes intensify.

Simultaneously, military assessments indicate Ukrainian forces are under continuous pressure along the frontline. Kyiv's commanders are prioritizing force preservation to manage ongoing manpower shortages, which could worsen if Moscow initiates another mobilization. While both sides increasingly rely on long-range kamikaze drones and cruise missiles, Ukraine remains particularly vulnerable to aerial bombardment due to a severe deficit of air defense interceptors.

Sources: Morgunblaðið, Vísir.