Estonia and Romania ban Russian airlines from their airspace, after the UK, Poland, Moldova and the Czech Republic

Insider

Estonia and Romania ban Russian airlines from their airspace, after the UK, Poland, Moldova and the Czech Republic

Taylor Ardrey – February 26, 2022

Aeroflot.
Aeroflot.Media_works/Shutterstock
  • Estonia and Romania have barred Russia from their airspace, officials announced Saturday.
  • The move comes after other countries, including the UK and Poland, did the same this week.
  • The US State Department said it’s in ‘regular dialogue with our Ukrainian partners’ regarding a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

Estonia and Romania on Saturday banned Russian airlines from their airspace after the U.K., Poland, Moldova, and the Czech Republic did the same.

Romania’s foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu tweeted Saturday morning that the country “just joined other EU member states in banning (Russian) airlines from our airspace.” Aurescu went on to say Romania encourages all partners and allies “to take such action, as we stay resolute in our support for #UkraineUnderAttack.”

Kaja Kallas, Estonian Foreign Minister, echoed similar sentiments, stating there’s”no place for planes of the aggressor state in democratic skies.”

After Russia attacked Ukraine on Thursday, United Kingdom officials issued a ban restricting Russian-owned airlines from the country’s airspace.

“This means that Aeroflot will not be permitted to operate flights to or from the United Kingdom until further notice,” the UK Civil Aviation Authority said in a Feb. 24 announcement.

In response, Russian officials decided to bar any aircraft owned, leased, or operated by individuals associated with the UK from its airspace, as Insider reported.

Additionally, as Aljazeera reported, Russia also placed the ban on other European countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria, aviation officials said Saturday.

GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger has called on the US to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine to aid in their fight against Russia, according to Yahoo News.

“The fate of #Ukraine is being decided tonight, but also the fate of the west. Declare a #NoFlyZone over Ukraine at the invitation of their sovereign govt,” Kinzinger tweeted Friday. “Disrupt Russia’s air ops to give the heroic Ukrainians a fair fight. It’s now, or later.”

When asked Saturday if the US has given any consideration to Ukraine’s call for a no-fly zone, spokesperson for the US Department of State Ned Price responded, “We are in regular dialogue with our Ukrainian partners. We are looking at a range of ways we can continue to support them.”

Author: John Hanno

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Bogan High School. Worked in Alaska after the earthquake. Joined U.S. Army at 17. Sergeant, B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 84th Artillery, 7th Army. Member of 12 different unions, including 4 different locals of the I.B.E.W. Worked for fortune 50, 100 and 200 companies as an industrial electrician, electrical/electronic technician.