Russia's Elite Face Train Travel as Airlines Cancel Moscow Flights

Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines canceled or turned back flights to Moscow after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russian airspace is becoming dangerous, leading to nearly 80 flight delays or cancellations at Moscow airports. Zelensky said drones appear in Russian skies so frequently that the threat must be acknowledged, though he stressed Ukraine poses no danger to civilian aviation. The "closed airspace" regime would mainly affect Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other major flight routes. Putin called the remarks a promise of "state terrorism," while Russia's transport ministry insisted aviation authorities would not allow disruption to civilian flights. Security expert Ivan Stupako said the Ukrainian warning responds to Russian drone attacks and bombings of warehouses. If Ukraine succeeded in closing Russian airspace, government Rossiya flights and elite business jets like 60-million-euro Bombardiers would be grounded, potentially sparking a trend of buying personal trains. Political scientist Ivan Preobrazhenski noted Putin likely plans to continue the war for at least two more years, hoping Ukraine collapses, though Russia's resources may run out.