# Zelensky Warns Airlines on Russian Airspace as Putin Calls It Terrorism and Widens Target List

*Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 10:07 PM UTC — Hamer Intelligence Services Desk*

**Published**: 2026-09-01T22:07:56.682Z (39m ago)
**Category**: geopolitics | **Region**: Eastern Europe
**Importance**: 7/10
**Sources**: OSINT
**Permalink**: https://hamerintel.com/data/articles/16539.md
**Source**: https://hamerintel.com/summaries

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**Deck**: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned airlines, insurers and operators that Russian airspace is increasingly dangerous due to Ukrainian drone activity, while Vladimir Putin has denounced the warning as state terrorism, ruled out talks with terrorists and said any military facilities in Ukraine are legitimate Russian targets.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin have set out starkly different messages on the risks in Russian airspace and on what counts as a legitimate target in the war.

Zelensky has warned that Russian airspace is becoming increasingly dangerous for civil aviation, saying there will be drones in Russian skies. In separate remarks, he told airlines, insurance companies and others still using Russian routes that the airspace is effectively unsafe.

His warning comes as Ukraine has expanded its use of drones to strike targets inside Russia, including cities, oil refineries and other infrastructure far from the front line. By highlighting the risk to civilian flights, he is putting additional pressure on companies that continue to operate over Russia.

Putin responded by calling Zelensky’s statement state terrorism. He said there can be no negotiations with terrorists, tying his rejection of talks to what he portrays as threats to civilian aviation.

At the same time, Putin said that any military facilities in Ukraine, including those involving British forces, are legitimate targets for Russia. Asked whether military infrastructure sites in the United Kingdom itself could become a target, he replied that such matters are a military secret.

Separately, Putin said Russia is not striking Ukraine’s leadership because Moscow wants people there to resolve issues through diplomatic means. He added that if Ukraine turns to what he called state terrorism, Russia would find a way to respond.

In other comments, Putin said unmanned vehicles are a serious challenge but that Russia is handling them well, and he reiterated that there are no plans for a new mobilization, describing media reports to the contrary as an information campaign against Russia.

These overlapping statements suggest that both sides see airspace and military infrastructure linked to foreign support as key levers in the conflict. Any further rerouting by major airlines away from Russian skies, changes in aviation insurance for flights over Russia, or Russian strikes on foreign‑linked facilities in Ukraine will show how these warnings are being translated into practice.