Moscow: Russia’s Transport Ministry has provided foreign airlines with clarifications on safety measures at Russian airports and in the country’s airspace, Interfax reported on August 3, following a warning from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that flights in Russia had become unsafe.
Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin said that foreign airlines work closely with Russian authorities and are familiar with the country’s rules and standards for aviation safety.
“They work very closely with us and understand all our rules, standards and how we ensure flight safety,” Interfax quoted Nikitin as saying.
The comments came after Zelenskiy warned airlines and insurance companies on Tuesday that the presence of Ukrainian drones had made Russian airspace dangerous to use. Zelenskiy said the situation had effectively closed Russian airspace to civilian aviation.
Russia’s Transport Ministry responded by providing foreign carriers with information on the safety measures used at airports and across the country’s airspace. The ministry’s clarification was given in response to requests from foreign airlines, according to the report.
Russian aviation watchdog Rosaviatsiya also rejected Zelenskiy’s warning on Wednesday, saying Russian air transport and ground infrastructure were continuing to operate normally. The regulator said Russian airports were still receiving and dispatching flights, including services operated by foreign airlines.
The issue has particular significance for airlines that continue to use Russian airspace despite the broader restrictions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many European and U.S. carriers have avoided Russian airspace since the start of the war, while airlines from China, Turkey and Gulf states continue to use some routes through the country.
Moscow’s assurances to foreign airlines are aimed at reinforcing confidence in the safety of Russian aviation infrastructure and airspace. However, Zelenskiy’s warning highlights the continuing risks faced by airlines operating in or near areas affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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