The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a warning on Thursday (9 January), advising non-European carriers to avoid flying over western Russia due to the high risk of being accidentally targeted by Russian air defense systems. The warning comes after the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan, which was reportedly struck by Russian defenses after they fired at Ukrainian drones. This incident led to the deaths of at least 38 people, underscoring the dangers present in the region’s airspace.
EASA cited the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine as a key factor in the increased risks to civil aviation. It noted that the civil-military coordination in Russian airspace may be inadequate, leading to potential misidentifications of civilian aircraft. These issues are exacerbated by the active military operations taking place in the region, creating a hazardous environment for planes flying in proximity to the conflict zones.
The agency specifically warned carriers operating under its authorization to avoid airspace west of longitude 60° East, which includes significant parts of western Russia. EASA emphasized that this guidance applies to all altitudes and flight levels. The warning comes in the context of Russia’s airspace being closed to European Union airlines since the imposition of Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector.
The crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines flight, which occurred in December 2024, was reportedly caused by a Russian air defense system mistakenly targeting the aircraft. Preliminary findings from Azerbaijan’s investigation suggest that the missile strike was a case of misidentification. Although President Putin expressed regret and apologized for the incident, the Kremlin did not acknowledge responsibility, instead noting that a criminal case had been initiated in response to the crash.
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