Zelensky warns against drone attacks on Russian airspace

Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has warned all airlines of danger over Russia because of Kiev's drone attacks. “Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe,” Zelensky said in his evening video message broadcast in Kiev. However, Ukraine is not threatening civil aviation or individual aircraft. “There will simply be so many drones in Russian airspace that this will have to be taken into account,” said the head of state. Russian airspace will be “effectively” closed.

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin reacted that night at a press conference in Bishkek, the capital of the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan. It is a case of “state terrorism” to which Russia will respond. “I would like to point out that they are asking us to resume negotiations,” Putin said, referring to statements from Kiev.

"They ask for personal meetings. But no negotiations are being held with terrorists," emphasized Putin. According to his account, the negotiations under US mediation are on hold. However, the president said that envoys sent by US President Donald Trump were particularly welcome in Moscow. In response to a question at the press conference about why Moscow was not militarily eliminating the leadership in Kiev, Putin said that representatives would still be needed for negotiations in the future.

Just last week, Zelensky threatened to use up to 1,000 long-range drones every day. He also confirmed media reports that the USA had asked for a pause in attacks on Moscow and St. Petersburg on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday last week. CIA chief John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow unannounced at that time.

According to Zelensky, another state also requested a pause in attacks on Vladivostok. The Eastern Economic Forum with international guests and an appearance by Putin will take place in the Russian city on the Pacific from Tuesday to Friday. Ukrainian attacks are not yet known in the Far East region, which is over 6,000 kilometers away from Ukraine.

Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian invasion for more than four and a half years and, in its defensive battle, has repeatedly used drones to attack distant targets in the Russian hinterland.