Ukraine has issued a warning to airlines and insurance companies, stating that Russian airspace is becoming increasingly unsafe for commercial flights due to a surge in Ukrainian drone attacks. These attacks have caused frequent airport closures, flight diversions, and cancellations, particularly around major Russian cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg. According to data cited by Euronews, Russian airports saw 993 temporary closures in August 2026—an average of 32 per day—due to the drone operations. Over the entire summer, the number of temporary closures reached 2,182, surpassing the total recorded for the entire year of 2025. In a speech broadcast on September 1, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned transport companies, insurers, and passengers using Russian airports that the airspace had become "completely dangerous." Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine was not targeting civilian aviation but stated that the scale of drone operations would force airlines to take the threat into account. He also mentioned that Kyiv had formally informed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) about the risks associated with flying in Russian airspace. Russian authorities respond to drone threats using the "Kover" protocol, also known as the "carpet" procedure. This air defense measure involves halting all takeoffs and landings and diverting flights already in the area. Designed for exceptional circumstances, this response is now becoming routine. Airports in Moscow, including Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Joukovski, as well as Pulkovo in Saint Petersburg, are particularly vulnerable to such disruptions. Flight data from FlightRadar24 shows that in the first three days of September, an average of 86 flights were canceled daily in Russia. During the most severe disruptions around Moscow, between 77 and over 100 flights were canceled or delayed in a single night. On September 2, for example, Sheremetyevo airport recorded 21 cancellations and 235 delays, while Vnukovo had 22 cancellations and 94 delays. While European and American airlines have stopped operating in or over Russian airspace since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, carriers from China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates continue to fly to or over Russia. The situation has prompted some airlines to adjust their schedules. On September 2, Pegasus Airlines canceled several flights to Russia, citing "technical and operational" reasons. Flydubai warned that some of its services could be delayed or rerouted. Other carriers, including Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates, are also adjusting their operations in response to the situation. Russian authorities have dismissed Ukraine's warnings, with Rosaviatsia, the Russian civil aviation authority, stating that Kyiv's actions toward international organizations have "no legal force" and are contrary to the Chicago Convention. The agency claims that Russian airports and aviation infrastructure continue to operate normally. Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitine assured that Moscow would not allow significant disruptions in civil aviation, stating that authorities are collaborating with the Defense Ministry and the National Guard to enhance flight and airport security. Despite these assurances, operational data suggests the situation has worsened. Frequent airport closures are disrupting both domestic and international flight networks, complicating aircraft and crew rotations, and increasing costs for airlines. According to Euronews, air traffic between Moscow and Saint Petersburg has declined by 20% to 23%, while demand for train travel has increased by about 20%.