Russia’s Transport Minister vows to shield civil aviation amid Ukrainian drone threat

On September 1, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned airlines that Russian airspace was becoming unsafe due to drone attacks, suggesting that Russian airspace would effectively close. In response, Russia’s Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin said civil aviation would not experience significant disruptions. Nikitin stated that authorities are preparing for the threats, improving flight safety and airport security, and working closely with the Defense Ministry and National Guard. He emphasized that passenger safety is paramount and that Russia would handle the situation in the coming years. The announcement came after Turkish carrier Pegasus began canceling flights to and from Moscow following Zelensky’s statement. President Vladimir Putin called Zelensky’s warning a bid for state terrorism.