Ukraine Aims to Disrupt Russian Air Travel With Drone Strikes

Ukraine intends to escalate its drone attacks on Russian airports to disrupt civilian air travel and exert economic pressure on Moscow, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky informed airlines that Russian airspace is becoming unsafe, and the military plans to increase drone activity near airports. The strategy, referred to as "Operation Carpet," aims to trigger more frequent and prolonged flight restrictions, potentially leading to a significant halt in air traffic.

Serhiy Bratchuk, a representative of Ukraine's Southern Command, told WSJ that the goal is to create constant pressure that seriously disrupts civil aviation in European Russia. Ukraine asserts it does not intend to target passenger planes or cause civilian casualties, but rather to expand the "Carpet" operation, which forces Russian air traffic controllers to halt takeoffs and landings when drones are detected nearby.

In August, approximately 32 Russian airports, including those near Moscow and St. Petersburg, experienced daily temporary closures due to drone proximity. Osprey Flight Solutions reported a record number of Ukrainian drones entering Russian airspace in August, with an estimated 16,000 devices. Aviation security experts warn that the combination of drones and Russian air defense systems, along with electronic warfare and GPS spoofing, poses increasing threats to civil aviation.

This escalation is framed by Ukraine as a response to intensified Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. The repercussions are already being felt by airlines. El Al suspended Tel Aviv-Moscow flights in late June due to drone risks, and Air India rerouted its San Francisco-Delhi flights to avoid Russian airspace. Turkish carrier Pegasus and UAE's Flydubai have also adjusted schedules and routes. Since September 1, Russian and foreign carriers have been canceling an average of 86 flights daily.

Russian authorities implement "Operation Carpet" as a temporary measure, often communicated via messaging apps rather than official channels. Aviation security specialists caution that the persistent drone presence and active air defense operations increase the risk of a major aviation incident. Matt Borry of Osprey stated it's statistically a matter of time before a significant accident occurs in or near the conflict zone.