Despite the cancellation of hundreds of flights, Russia has declared its airspace safe
Russian airspace remains safe for civil aviation, said Anton Kobyakov, an adviser to the Russian president. His remarks came amid numerous restrictions on operations at Russian airports due to drone attacks.
“We have taken every possible measure to ensure the air safety of our citizens. And I am certain that our airspace is safe,” Kobyakov said on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum.
He was commenting on a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who noted that “Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe” due to drone attacks.
Despite the Russian authorities’ assurances regarding airspace safety, operations at Moscow’s major airport are regularly restricted due to the threat of drones.
According to Flightradar24, the day before, 21 flights were canceled and 235 were delayed at Sheremetyevo Airport due to the suspension of operations, while at Vnukovo Airport, 22 flights were canceled and 94 were delayed.
On the night of September 3, Moscow’s air hub was once again effectively paralyzed.
According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, from the evening of September 2 through the morning of September 3, 103 drones were reportedly shot down as they approached the capital.
Following this, restrictions on aircraft takeoffs and landings were imposed at Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Vnukovo airports, while Zhukovsky Airport ceased operations entirely.
In addition, Rosaviatsiya reported temporary restrictions at the airports in Gelendzhik, Sochi, Penza, and Saratov.
Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin previously stated that periodic restrictions on operations at Russian airports would continue due to drone attacks.
“But we will definitely cope with this in the coming years,” the minister assured.
At the same time, Nikitin promised that Russian authorities would not allow “significant disruptions” to civilian aviation operations.
Thus, Russian officials are simultaneously declaring the safety of their airspace while acknowledging that drone attacks are forcing them to regularly restrict operations at civilian airports.
Following Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement about the dangers of Russian airspace, Ukraine sent a corresponding notification to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Kyiv also urged airlines to avoid Russian airspace due to increased military activity.
Rosaviatsiya, for its part, stated that the documents regarding Russian airspace released by Ukraine have no legal force and allegedly violate the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
The Russian agency also announced the tightening of security measures in the aviation sector.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called Zelenskyy’s statement about the danger of Russian airspace “a declaration of state terrorism.”
“We will find a way to respond. Let no one doubt that,” Putin warned.
Against this backdrop, the dispute over the safety of Russian airspace continues: Moscow insists it is safe, while regular restrictions on airport operations point to serious disruptions in civil aviation due to the threat posed by drones.
For the second night in a row, Moscow’s Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports suspended arrivals and departures following warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the growing danger to civil aviation in Russian airspace.
Ukraine officially notified the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that Russian airspace is unsafe. The notification followed repeated strikes by Ukrainian drones on Russian territory.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) issued a NOTAM stating that all documents published by Ukraine regarding the dangers of flying in Russian airspace have no legal force.
