<p>Ukraine is warning that airlines and other civilian aircraft must cease operations in Russian airspace or risk being caught in crossfire.</p>
<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an address on Tuesday evening stating that the “safe days in Russia’s skies are over” and that “Russian airspace will effectively be closing” in the coming days as drones continue to proliferate and strike across the border.</p>
<p>“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. Ukraine does not threaten civilian aviation as such — not a single civilian aircraft,” Zelensky explained. “There will simply be drones in Russia’s skies on a scale that has to be taken into account.”</p>
<p>“It is important that this is heard by the ambassadors of countries represented here in Ukraine, as well as by ambassadors working in Moscow. Everyone of them knows exactly what Russia’s war means for our country and our people, and they must convey this information to their capitals,” he continued. “It is important that the airlines currently flying to airports primarily in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other key destinations in Russia hear this as well.”</p>
<p>Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine will never target civilian aircraft, regardless of airspace, but noted that the increasing number of unmanned aerial vehicles is making the region too dangerous for navigation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide data about the placement of drones upon request from allies.</p>
<p>This warning follows a significant overnight assault that resulted in 12 fatalities and injuries to at least a dozen more in Ukraine.</p>
<p>Russia launched over 200 drones and a combination of “anti-radar, ballistic, and cruise missiles” targeting Kyiv and Odesa regions, beginning around 6 p.m. local time.</p>
<p>The attacks reportedly targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure in and around Kyiv, continuing a trend of attacks on nonmilitary targets.</p>
<p>The airstrikes are part of a series of escalating attacks by Russia on Ukraine over the past two weeks, with Monday’s attack marking the sixth consecutive day of bombardment on Kyiv.</p>
<p>Ukraine is working to increase the costs of the invasion for the Russian government by striking military and logistical sites within range of their drones and ballistic capabilities.</p>
<p>Kyiv also launched a drone attack on the Russian port of Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea, which Russian officials reported on Tuesday morning resulted in a fire at the major oil hub lasting approximately four hours.</p>
<p>The mayor of Moscow reported that around 21 Ukrainian drones were intercepted while approaching the capital city around the same time.</p>
<p>Between Monday night and Tuesday morning, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted at least 516 drones.</p>