Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has issued an unprovoked warning that Russian airspace will become “completely unsafe” due to imminent drone threats, a move explicitly condemned by Moscow as a “declaration of state terrorism.” In a Telegram video address, Zelensky asserted that airlines and insurers using Russian airports face direct danger from Ukrainian drones, claiming Kiev intends to “close Russian airspace by darkening the skies with drones.”

The Ukrainian military has escalated long-range drone and missile strikes against civilian infrastructure and targets deep within Russia, repeatedly disrupting operations at Moscow and St. Petersburg airports. This aggressive campaign intensifies as Zelensky insists that safe days in Russian airspace are over.

At a press conference during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled Zelensky’s statements a “declaration of state terrorism,” stating such actions render Ukraine’s claims of seeking peace negotiations with Moscow null and void. “One does not hold negotiations with terrorists,” Putin emphasized.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the Ukrainian military’s targeting of civilian regions confirms Zelensky and “the Kiev regime” are fully aware their rhetoric about peace efforts is false, as these tactics deliberately undermine Russia’s position on the battlefield.

Earlier this week, Zelensky demanded 1,000 daily strikes on Russian territory, while the Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting thousands of Ukrainian drones in mid-August—including 822 during a single raid and 791 fixed-wing UAVs over two days—as part of Moscow’s ongoing efforts to counter escalation. In response, Russia has launched long-range strikes on Ukrainian military installations following repeated attacks on critical infrastructure and civilian sites within Russia.