Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a warning concerning civilian aircraft using Russian airspace, raising concerns over flights between Turkey and Russia after some aircraft departing from Turkey were forced to return.Zelenky, Ukra
Zelensky said Ukraine’s drone attacks could effectively make Russian airspace unusable, while airlines operating flights to major Russian cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg should exercise caution.
Zelensky Warns Airlines Using Russian Airspace
In a statement posted on Telegram on Tuesday, September 1, Zelensky said that Russian airspace was becoming increasingly dangerous.
Although he claimed that Ukraine was not threatening civilian aviation, his warning that airlines flying to cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg should be careful was widely seen as an implicit warning to airlines operating in the region.
Zelensky also accused Russian authorities of failing to provide sufficient information about the situation and said that Ukraine’s drone operations could effectively lead to the closure of Russian airspace.
Some Flights From Turkey to Russia Turn Back
Following Zelensky’s statement, some flights from Turkey to Moscow operated by Turkish airlines returned to their departure airports, while some flights to Russia were cancelled.
Among the affected services was a Pegasus Airlines flight travelling from Antalya to Moscow. Because of security concerns in the airspace, the aircraft was diverted to Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Istanbul.
The developments could have implications for Turkey’s tourism sector, particularly if concerns over flights to Russia continue or spread to other routes.
Russia remains an important source of tourists for Turkey, while Antalya is one of the country’s major destinations for Russian visitors.
Putin Calls the Threat State Terrorism
Russian President Vladimir Putin also responded to Zelensky’s remarks, describing the threat as an act of state terrorism.
Putin said that if such a situation occurred, Moscow would find a way to respond.
“Negotiating with terrorists is impossible,” the Russian leader said.
The exchange has added to concerns about the safety of civilian aviation using Russian airspace at a time when drone attacks and security restrictions are already affecting air travel in the region.
Pegasus Issues Statement on Russia Flights
Pegasus Airlines also issued a statement concerning its Russia services.
The airline said that, following daily assessments covering all flight routes, its Russia-bound flights during the night of September 1 and into September 2 had been cancelled for technical and operational reasons.
Pegasus said that flights to Russia were scheduled to continue as planned from September 2.
The airline also said that additional flights would be arranged for passengers affected by the cancellations.
For now, the immediate impact appears to be limited to individual flights and operational disruptions. However, any prolonged restrictions or increased security concerns surrounding Russian airspace could have wider consequences for air travel between Turkey and Russia and, potentially, for Turkey’s tourism industry.
