Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning to airlines operating in Russian airspace, cautioning that the country is becoming increasingly dangerous for civilian aviation.

"The Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous," Zelensky stated in his nightly video address on Tuesday. "We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, everyone who still uses key Russian airports: be aware of this danger."

While most western commercial airlines

While most Western commercial airlines have avoided flying over Russia due to the ongoing conflict, carriers in countries such as China continue to operate flights through Russian airspace.

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Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine does not target civilian aircraft, but rather drones on a scale that poses a significant threat. "There will simply be drones in Russia's skies on a scale that has to be taken into account," he said.

The Ukrainian President directed his warning specifically at airlines continuing to operate flights to Russian airports, particularly major cities like St Petersburg and Moscow.

Ukraine has targeted energy facilities deep inside Russian territory, as well as large retailers. Aviation risk advisory firm Osprey Flight Solutions has warned that daily attacks deeper inside Russia are almost certain to continue this year.

"There is also a realistic possibility that the frequency of Ukrainian strikes will continue to increase in the short term deep inside Russian territory," the alert stated. "It is assessed that miscalculation and/or misidentification is likely in areas related to the Ukraine conflict."

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to Zelensky's warning, stating that Ukraine is asking Russia to resume negotiations but cannot negotiate with terrorists.

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Putin also acknowledged that Ukrainian strikes have damaged infrastructure inside Russia, while insisting that only 10% of oil refineries remain operational.

Chinese, Turkish, and Gulf state airlines are among those using Russian airspace, taking advantage of savings in time and fuel on routes between Asia and Europe.

Last year, the UN aviation agency ruled that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. The Kremlin has consistently denied any involvement in the air disaster.