NEW DELHI: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned international airlines, insurers and governments that Russian airspace is becoming increasingly unsafe due to growing Ukrainian drone activity amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Zelenskyy said the volume of drones operating over Russia would increase and urged airlines using Russian airspace and key Russian airports to take the heightened risks into account.

The Ukrainian president stressed that Kyiv does not intend to target civilian aircraft, but said the presence of drones in Russian skies could make commercial aviation increasingly hazardous.

His warning comes as Russia and Ukraine have intensified long-range drone and missile attacks. Russia has stepped up strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, while Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian military and infrastructure sites with drones.

Several international airlines, particularly carriers from China, Turkey and Gulf countries, continue to use Russian airspace, which offers shorter routes between Europe and Asia. The growing drone threat could therefore have wider implications for international aviation and insurance markets