According to AFP, in a speech on the evening of September 1 (local time), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned airlines using Russian airspace and insurance companies that the presence of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has made Russian airspace completely unsafe.
Mr. Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine does not pose any threat to civil aviation, but there will be large-scale UAVs appearing in the Russian airspace.
Aviation operations at Russian airports have been interrupted many times due to Ukrainian UAV approaches. The number of incidents is said to have increased in recent months.
Mr. Zelensky said that the increase in Ukrainian UAV operations is making it difficult and potentially risky to maintain civilian flights in Russia. According to him, this risk will continue for the duration of the ongoing conflict.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Mr. Zelensky's statements about the danger to civil aviation operations in Russia are equivalent to a "state terrorism declaration".
President Putin also emphasized that Russia "cannot negotiate with terrorists".
On the same day, in a speech in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, President Putin said that Russia wants to end the conflict and move towards long-term peace in Ukraine and Europe. The Russian President also affirmed that his country is ready to participate in the negotiation process with all parties that want dialogue.
