This is grim but not surprising — a predictable consequence of a war that Russia started. Ukraine has a right to defend itself, and if drone strikes are aimed at military or logistical targets that fuel the invasion, that is part of resisting occupation. But the ripple effects on civilians — passengers stranded overnight, disrupted supply chains, rising insurance costs, and greater isolation for ordinary Russians — are real and worrying. Civil aviation must be protected; any actions that risk civilian planes or lives should be avoided and transparently investigated. The Kremlin’s aggression created this vulnerability, and trying to spin the situation as purely a security problem for airlines ignores the human cost on both sides. Western governments, international aviation bodies and insurers should urgently work to establish deconfliction measures, safe corridors and oversight to minimize civilian harm — while maintaining pressure on the Russian government through targeted sanctions and support for Ukraine’s defense. We should stand with people suffering from these disruptions and push for diplomacy to reduce the risk of further escalation. 😔
