Russia
Risk Level: Two - Danger exists
[ about risk levels ]
Ukraine closed its entire airspace to all civil traffic on Feb 24, 2022, due to a military invasion by Russia. There is an ongoing active conflict in Ukraine between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Russia, Belarus and Moldova have closed large sections of their own airspace near to their FIR boundaries with Ukraine.
The US, Canada, and Italy have since banned their operators from the section of airspace in Russia along its FIR boundaries with Ukraine, and France and Germany have also issued warnings for this airspace.
The primary risk is an unintended targeting of civil aircraft by military near the Russia-Ukraine border, including misidentification (as with MAS17, UIA752), or confusion.
Major events:
Aug 2023: The private jet believed to be carrying Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin crashed en route from Moscow to St Petersburg on Aug 23. Speculation that the crash was due to a bomb onboard - though this has not been confirmed. So far there have not been any new airspace warnings issued for Russia by other states following this incident. Most foreign operators remain banned from Russian airspace as per the prohibitions listed in the UUUU Notams.
July-Aug 2023: Several incidents of drone strikes on targets in Moscow and surrounding region. Not all of these are repelled by Russian air defences, with some drones damaging buildings, and Moscow airports being forced to close temporarily on many occasions. These types of events are becoming more frequent inside Russian airspace - air defence activity can put civil aircraft at extra risk.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Ukraine and Russia Update March 2022
The US, Canada, and Italy have since banned their operators from the section of airspace in Russia along its FIR boundaries with Ukraine, and France and Germany have also issued warnings for this airspace.
The primary risk is an unintended targeting of civil aircraft by military near the Russia-Ukraine border, including misidentification (as with MAS17, UIA752), or confusion.
Major events:
Aug 2023: The private jet believed to be carrying Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin crashed en route from Moscow to St Petersburg on Aug 23. Speculation that the crash was due to a bomb onboard - though this has not been confirmed. So far there have not been any new airspace warnings issued for Russia by other states following this incident. Most foreign operators remain banned from Russian airspace as per the prohibitions listed in the UUUU Notams.
July-Aug 2023: Several incidents of drone strikes on targets in Moscow and surrounding region. Not all of these are repelled by Russian air defences, with some drones damaging buildings, and Moscow airports being forced to close temporarily on many occasions. These types of events are becoming more frequent inside Russian airspace - air defence activity can put civil aircraft at extra risk.
Read: OPSGROUP article: Ukraine and Russia Update March 2022
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Notam LIRR A4955/23 | 10 Jul 2023 | 05 Oct 2023 | |
| France | AIC 24/22 | 17 Nov 2022 | Ongoing | |
| USA | FAA Information Note Russia/Ukraine | 14 Nov 2022 | Ongoing | |
| Germany | AIC 12/23 | 25 Feb 2022 | Ongoing | |
| USA | Notam KICZ A0005/22 | 24 Feb 2022 | Ongoing | |
| Canada | AIC 21/23 | 24 Feb 2022 | Ongoing |
Source: Italy
Reference: Notam LIRR A4955/23
Issued: 10-Jul-23, valid until: 05 Oct 2023
Plain English: Italian operators are prohibited from Russian airspace within 200nm of the Russia/Ukraine border, and must do a risk assessment if planning to operate in the UUWV/Moscow FIR.
MILITARY INVASION OF UKRAINE BY RUSSIAN FEDERATION. ITALIAN AIR OPERATORS AND OWNERS OF ACFT REGISTERED IN ITALY SHALL NOT ENTER UIR KYIV (UKBU), FIR LVIV (UKLV), FIR KYIV (UKBV), FIR DNIPROPETROVSK (UKDV), FIR SIMFEROPOL (UKFV), FIR ODESA (UKOV), FIR ROSTOV-NA-DONU (URRV). SAID OPERATORS AND ACFT OWNERS SHALL ALSO AVOID FLT OPS WI THE BUFFER ZONE EXTD OUT TO 200NM ALONG THE UKRAINE/RUSSIA BORDER. OPS WI THE FIR CHISINAU (LUUU) AIRSPACE SHALL ONLY BE UNDERTAKEN IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE AERONAUTICAL PUBLICATIONS ISSUED BY REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA. OPERATORS ARE REMINDED THAT OPS WI FIR MINSK (UMMV) ARE PROHIBITED IN ACCORDANCE WITH EASA SAFETY DIRECTIVES SD-2021-02 AND SD-2021-03. ADDN RISK ASSESSMENT AND FLT PLANNING DECISIONS SHALL BE TAKEN BFR OPERATING IN THE FLW AIRSPACE: MOSCOW (UUWV). 10 JUL 14:32 2023 UNTIL 04 OCT 23:59 2023. CREATED: 10 JUL 14:32 2023
Source: France
Reference: AIC 24/22
Issued: 17-Nov-22, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators should not enter the airspace of Russia within 200nm of the FIR boundaries with Ukraine, and exercise caution in the rest of the UUWV/Moscow and URRV/Rostov FIRs.
From 17/11/2022 and until further notice, following the military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian federation which poses a high risk to civilian flights operating at all altitudes and at all flight levels, pilots in command of aircraft performing air services mentioned in paragraph 1.1 are requested :
- not to enter FIR LVIV (UKLV), FIR KYIV (UKBV), FIR DNIPROPETROVSK (UKDV), FIR SIMFEROPOL (UKFV), FIR ODESA (UKOV), FIR MINSK (UMMV) and FIR CHISINAU (LUUU)
- not to enter within 200 NM of the Ukrainian border into the FIR MOSCOW (UUWV) and ROSTOV-NA-DONU (URRV)
- exercise extreme caution when conducting flights beyond 200 NM of the Ukrainian borders in FIR MOSCOW (UUWV) and FIR ROSTOV-NA-DONU (URRV).
- not to enter FIR LVIV (UKLV), FIR KYIV (UKBV), FIR DNIPROPETROVSK (UKDV), FIR SIMFEROPOL (UKFV), FIR ODESA (UKOV), FIR MINSK (UMMV) and FIR CHISINAU (LUUU)
- not to enter within 200 NM of the Ukrainian border into the FIR MOSCOW (UUWV) and ROSTOV-NA-DONU (URRV)
- exercise extreme caution when conducting flights beyond 200 NM of the Ukrainian borders in FIR MOSCOW (UUWV) and FIR ROSTOV-NA-DONU (URRV).
Source: USA
Reference: FAA Information Note Russia/Ukraine
Issued: 14-Nov-22, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: The Russia/Ukraine conflict spillover risk is increasing. Russia periodically launches missiles targeting Ukraine which transit Moldovan airspace. Reports of comms and GPS jamming outside the conflict zone, particularly over the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. Expanded drone activity, especially around Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
Title: FAA Information Note - Russia/Ukraine – Conflict Spillover Risks to U.S. Civil Aviation Increasing
Click the link for full text.
Click the link for full text.
Source: Germany
Reference: AIC 12/23
Issued: 25-Feb-22, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: German operators should not enter the airspace of Russia within 200nm of the FIR boundaries with Ukraine.
Level 2 warning (medium). Civil German air operators are recommended not to enter FIRs MOSCOW (UUWV), ROSTOV-NA DONU (URRV) and MINSK (UMMV) within 200nm from Ukrainian airspace and territory. Potential risk from military activity.
Source: USA
Reference: Notam KICZ A0005/22
Issued: 24-Feb-22, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: US operators are prohibited from Russian airspace within 160nm of the FIR boundaries with Ukraine.
SECURITY..UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PROHIBITION FOR SPECIFIED AREAS OF THE MOSCOW(UUWV), SAMARA (UWWW) AND ROSTOV-NA DONU FIR (URRV) FLIGHT INFORMATION REGIONS. THOSE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A (APPLICABILITY) BELOW ARE PROHIBITED FROM OPERATING AT ALL ALTITUDES IN THE MOSCOW FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION (FIR) (UUWV), THE SAMARA FIR (UWWW), AND THE ROSTOV-NA DONU FIR (URRV) WITHIN 160NM OF THE BOUNDARIES WITH THE DNIPRO FIR (UKDV), THE SIMFEROPOL FIR (UKFV), AND THE KYIV FIR (UKBV) (INCLUDES THAT PORTION OF THE KYIV UPPER INFORMATION REGION (UIR) (UKBU) AIRSPACE WITHIN THE LATERAL LIMITS OF THE UKDV, UKFV, AND UKBV FIRS) DUE TO SAFETY-OF FLIGHT RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ONGOING HOSTILITIES.
A. APPLICABILITY. THIS NOTAM APPLIES TO: ALL U.S. AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS; ALL PERSONS EXERCISING THE PRIVILEGES OF AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE FAA, EXCEPT SUCH PERSONS OPERATING U.S.-REGISTERED AIRCRAFT FOR A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER; AND ALL OPERATORS OF CIVIL AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT WHEN THE OPERATOR OF SUCH AIRCRAFT IS A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.
B. PERMITTED OPERATIONS. THIS NOTAM DOES NOT PROHIBIT PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A (APPLICABILITY) ABOVE FROM CONDUCTING FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN THE ABOVE-NAMED AREA WHEN SUCH OPERATIONS ARE AUTHORIZED EITHER BY ANOTHER AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE FAA OR BY A DEVIATION, EXEMPTION, OR OTHER AUTHORIZATION ISSUED BY THE FAA ADMINISTRATOR. OPERATORS MUST CALL THE FAA WASHINGTON OPERATIONS CENTER AT 202-267-3333 TO INITIATE COORDINATION FOR FAA AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT OPERATIONS.
C. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. IN AN EMERGENCY REQUIRING IMMEDIATE DECISION AND ACTION FOR THE SAFETY OF THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT IN COMMAND OF AN AIRCRAFT MAY DEVIATE FROM THIS NOTAM TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY THAT EMERGENCY.
THIS NOTAM IS AN EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED UNDER 49 USC 40113(A), 44701(A)(5), AND 46105(C). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED AT: HTTPS://WWW.FAA.GOV/AIR_TRAFFIC/PUBLICATIONS/US_RESTRICTIONS/.
SFC - FL999, 24 FEB 19:30 2022 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 24 FEB 19:23 2022
A. APPLICABILITY. THIS NOTAM APPLIES TO: ALL U.S. AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS; ALL PERSONS EXERCISING THE PRIVILEGES OF AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE FAA, EXCEPT SUCH PERSONS OPERATING U.S.-REGISTERED AIRCRAFT FOR A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER; AND ALL OPERATORS OF CIVIL AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT WHEN THE OPERATOR OF SUCH AIRCRAFT IS A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.
B. PERMITTED OPERATIONS. THIS NOTAM DOES NOT PROHIBIT PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A (APPLICABILITY) ABOVE FROM CONDUCTING FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN THE ABOVE-NAMED AREA WHEN SUCH OPERATIONS ARE AUTHORIZED EITHER BY ANOTHER AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE FAA OR BY A DEVIATION, EXEMPTION, OR OTHER AUTHORIZATION ISSUED BY THE FAA ADMINISTRATOR. OPERATORS MUST CALL THE FAA WASHINGTON OPERATIONS CENTER AT 202-267-3333 TO INITIATE COORDINATION FOR FAA AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT OPERATIONS.
C. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. IN AN EMERGENCY REQUIRING IMMEDIATE DECISION AND ACTION FOR THE SAFETY OF THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT IN COMMAND OF AN AIRCRAFT MAY DEVIATE FROM THIS NOTAM TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY THAT EMERGENCY.
THIS NOTAM IS AN EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED UNDER 49 USC 40113(A), 44701(A)(5), AND 46105(C). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED AT: HTTPS://WWW.FAA.GOV/AIR_TRAFFIC/PUBLICATIONS/US_RESTRICTIONS/.
SFC - FL999, 24 FEB 19:30 2022 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 24 FEB 19:23 2022
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 21/23
Issued: 24-Feb-22, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Canadian operators are prohibited from the URRV/Rostov FIR, and the airspace of Russia within 200nm of the FIR boundaries with Ukraine in the UUWV/Moscow FIR.
Level 3 (prohibition)
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN UKRAINE. Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are prohibited from entering FIR:
• Dnipropetrovsk (UKDV), Kiev (UKBV), L’viv (UKLV), Odesa (UKOV) and Simferopol (UKFV), in the airspace of Ukraine;
• FIR Rostov (URRV), in the airspace of Russia; and,
• Are prohibited from operating within 200nm of the boundaries of FIR UKDV and FIR UKBV in FIR Moscow (UUWV).
Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN UKRAINE. Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are prohibited from entering FIR:
• Dnipropetrovsk (UKDV), Kiev (UKBV), L’viv (UKLV), Odesa (UKOV) and Simferopol (UKFV), in the airspace of Ukraine;
• FIR Rostov (URRV), in the airspace of Russia; and,
• Are prohibited from operating within 200nm of the boundaries of FIR UKDV and FIR UKBV in FIR Moscow (UUWV).
Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.