Russia’s Transport Ministry has provided foreign airlines with the necessary explanations following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s threats to close Russian airspace.

Axar.az reports, citing Russian media, that Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin told reporters on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) that foreign carriers had approached the ministry themselves with questions.

Nikitin described the Ukrainian side’s demands as “absolutely illegal.”

“Colleagues approached us for explanations, and we provided all the necessary explanations. <...> The vast majority of companies that fly to Russia work very closely with us and understand all our rules and standards, as well as how we ensure flight safety,” he said.

It should be noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned that Russian airspace would no longer be safe starting September 1.