Ukraine: Zelenskyy warns airlines to avoid Russian airspace

Key Points:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that a surge in Ukrainian drone strikes has made Russian airspace unsafe for civil aviation, formally notifying the International Civil Aviation Organization and urging airlines to avoid Russian skies.
• Russian drone attacks on Kyiv have continued for a seventh consecutive day, injuring seven people and damaging residential and university buildings, while strikes in Dnipro killed two civilians and wounded eight.
• Germany is pushing the EU to tighten visa rules for Russian citizens amid security concerns, and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned that a Russian victory in Ukraine would embolden autocrats globally.
• Norway has seized the Russian ship Professor Molchanov following a request from Ukrainian company Naftogaz to ensure Russia meets outstanding compensation obligations related to expropriated assets.
• The EU is increasing pressure on Russia through tighter sanctions enforcement and support for Ukraine, while Belgium maintains its opposition to using frozen Russian assets, citing legal concerns.