The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a new alert on Thursday warning non-European carriers not to fly within western Russia airspace due to the risk of being unintentionally targeted by its air defence systems.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency warned airlines to steer clear of several cities in Russia following the fatal crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet that was likely shot down by Russian forces.

The crash, which killed 38 people, is believed to have been caused by Russian air defenses firing at Ukrainian drones. "The ongoing conflict following the Russian invasion of Ukraine poses the risk of civil aircraft being unintentionally targeted in the airspace of the Russian Federation due to possible civil-military coordination deficiencies,

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued new safety recommendations concerning Russian airspace. According to the announcement, EASA advises against any flight operations, regardless of altitude,