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Zelenskyy warns Russian airspace closing
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Zelenskyy warns Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe, with drones on a scale to be reckoned.
The warning signals escalating drone warfare and heightened risks for Russia's airspace.
Background
The warning comes amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Russia hitting Kyiv for a sixth straight day and both sides striking each other's energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy's statement suggests Ukraine is expanding its drone operations into Russian territory, making Russian airspace increasingly dangerous.
How it unfolded
- Jul 27, 2026Romania declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata over repeated drone incursions into Romanian airspace, showing fragments of a downed drone to Russia's ambassador.
- Aug 26, 2026Moscow announced plans to summon Romania's chargé d'affaires in response to the expulsion, escalating diplomatic tensions.
- Sep 1, 2026Zelenskyy warned that 'Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe,' citing drones in Russia's skies on a scale that must be taken into account.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Zelenskyy warns that Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe, with drones on a scale that has to be taken into account.
- Official
- Russia threatens a 'devastating' response to any escalation in the Baltic region, as stated by Moscow.