Russia: Zelensky's remarks on targeting civil aviation a point of no return

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Friday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement about targeting Russian civil aviation infrastructure has become a point of no return for countries supporting him.

Zakharova told Russia's Sputnik news agency: "Zelensky's statement about targeting civil aviation infrastructure has effectively closed all avenues for his supporters to distance themselves from this terrorism if they continue to provide him with financial and military support. This is the absolute point of no return."

Earlier on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Russia's firm commitment to ensuring the safety of civil aviation, commenting on threats from Kyiv against civilian aircraft.

The Russian statement follows Ukraine's issuance of NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), warning airlines of risks when flying over Russian airspace. Moscow described these warnings as an attempt to undermine aviation security and create panic, calling the measures illegal and insisting that Russian airspace remains safe.

Russia has called on the international community to condemn these Ukrainian actions, which it views as a threat to aviation safety.

Meanwhile, Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin said that Russian authorities respond immediately to threats against civil aviation and are continuously working to improve aviation and airport safety standards.