Another step into the unknown for air transport. Faced with Russia's continuous attacks on Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a direct warning to airlines. The intensification of drone attacks on Russia by his country is becoming a real danger for them because « airspace will become «de facto closed» in the face of intensifying attacks », he stated in a video address on Tuesday evening.
So the Ukrainian president has called on airlines, insurers and operators that continue to use major Russian airports to take the new level of risk into account.
" Russian airspace is becoming extremely dangerous. The war started by Russia is closing its own skies to it. », he stated. He specifically cited flights to Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other major Russian cities. Ukrainian airspace has now been closed since the country's invasion by its Russian neighbour in 2022.
However, the Ukrainian president insisted that Kyiv was not trying to target civil aviation. « Ukraine does not threaten civil aviation as such », Volodymyr Zelensky has reaffirmed. But he warned that the number of drones in Russian skies is going to reach a scale that can no longer be ignored.
Which airlines still use Russian airspace?
The vast majority of European airlines have stopped flying over Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. EASA continues to recommend that European operators avoid Russian airspace west of the 60th meridian East, at all flight levels. This recommendation also applies to certain third-country carriers authorised to operate to the European Union.
According to data currently available from aviation authorities as well as Flightradar24, the main airlines continuing to operate routes using Russian airspace are:
For Europe–Asia routes, the following airlines make up the most significant group:
| Company | Country | Main routes affected | Russian usage |
| Air China | China | Beijing–London, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Rome, Brussels, Vienna, etc. | Yes |
| China Eastern | China | Shanghai–Paris, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid, Milan, Rome, Vienna; Xi’an–Vienna | Yes |
| China Southern | China | Guangzhou/Beijing–Europe, notably Amsterdam, London, Paris and Frankfurt | Yes |
| Hainan Airlines | China | Beijing–Brussels, Manchester, Berlin, etc. | Yes |
| XiamenAir | China | Xiamen/Fuzhou–Europe, notably Amsterdam | Yes |
| Beijing Capital Airlines | China | Beijing/Chengdu–Europe | Yes |
| Emirates | United Arab Emirates | Dubai – Northern Europe | Yes, depending on the journeys |
| Etihad Airways | United Arab Emirates | Abu Dhabi to Northern Europe | Yes, depending on the journeys |
| Qatar Airways | Qatar | Doha–Northern Europe | Yes, depending on the journeys |
| Turkish Airlines | Turkey | Istanbul-Asia and certain Russia routes | Yes |
| Air Serbia | Serbia | Belgrade–Shanghai and Russia | Yes |
| Vietnam Airlines | Vietnam | Hanoi–Moscow; certain Asia–Europe routes | Russian access, but not all Europe routes |
| Air India | India | Certain India–Europe/North America flights | Access possible, variable use |
| Uzbekistan Airways | Uzbekistan | Central Asia–Europe/Russia | Yes |
| Flydubai | UAE | Dubai–Russia/Europe | Yes on certain lines |
| SriLankan Airlines | Sri Lanka | Colombo–Europe | Potential usage depending on the journey. |
However, these routes can quickly be modified. And they certainly will be, as no airline wants to take any risks. But this is going to have a knock-on effect on fares, because bypassing Russian airspace will lengthen journey times... and make the kerosene bill go up.
Chinese companies specifically targeted
In 2026, Chinese airlines still enjoy a considerable advantage over European carriers: they can use Siberian routes, which offer shorter journeys between Europe and Asia. They make no secret of this, exploiting the advantage to multiply the number of flights. For instance, China Eastern, which recently launched a Vienna-Beijing route, openly attributes this launch to the possibility of flying over Russian airspace.
In figures, this translates into a sharp increase in the airline capacity of Chinese carriers to Europe. According to OAG data reported in March prior to the introduction of the summer schedules, Chinese airlines have added 2,891 flights between China and Europe compared to 2025.
Air China alone has reported an increase of nearly 23% in its capacity for the summer season, representing some 4.5 million seats on routes between China and Europe. The new situation regarding Ukrainian drones will at least please some people: European airlines, which have been complaining about the financial advantage their Chinese counterparts have enjoyed until now. And which is therefore set to disappear…
Moscow denounces a «state terrorism declaration»
The Kremlin reacted sharply to Zelensky's remarks. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the Ukrainian statements as a «declaration of state terrorism», whilst maintaining that Russia would continue its own attacks against Ukraine.
Aviation risk has become particularly sensitive since several war-related incidents. EASA points out that the presence of air defence systems, missiles and drones in a conflict zone creates an additional risk for civil aviation.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirms: «The days when the Russian sky was safe are now over».
