Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights on Thursday because of military activities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine in what appeared to be the start of war in Europe.
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- Presidential advisor says Hostomel (Gostomel) Airport is under control of Ukrainian Forces and that Russian paratroopers have been destroyed.
- The FAA has issued a NOTAM which now covers the entirety of Ukraine, Belarus and a western portion of Russia.
- Ukrainian authorities say Hostomel Airport (home base of Antonov) is back entirely under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Correction: Ukrainian presidential advisor corrects his statement, says the battle in Hostomel is still ongoing. Artillery and tanks involved.
- British Prime Minister is announcing that Russian Aeroflot airline will be banned from UK.
- A captain from Antonov Airlines confirms that Hostomel Airport has been seized by Russian Forces but says that the An-225 Mriya has not been damaged.
- U.S. Pentagon says Russia fired more than 100 missiles targeting Airports and other military facilities in Ukraine. They came from Belarus, Russia and the sea.
- NATO fighters jets are patrolling the skies over Poland and Romania to protect the allied airspace following the Russian incursion into Ukraine.
- At least 15 Russian helicopters were part of Kyiv Hostomel Airport attack, the home base of Antonov company.
- Kyiv Hostomel Airport, the home of Antonov company looks to have been attacked by Russian Mi-8 helicopters. We can confirm the Antonov An-225 is there on the ground.
- Fighter planes were seen near Kyiv, possibly a Ukrainian MiG-29 (low-flying) and a Russian Su-35.
https://youtu.be/ppNKtijWVOw - Ukrainian Air Force Antonov An-26 was destroyed in a crash landing on a field in Kiev Region with 14 people on board.
- Moldova is now closing its airspace.
- Kulbakino air base has been hit by Russian strikes where the 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade is equipped with Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft.
- According to the General Staff of Ukraine, Russian missile and bomb strikes have hit airports in five cities: Boryspil, Ozerny, Kulbakin (Nikolaev), Chuguev, Kramatorsk, Chernobaevka (Kherson).
- USAF Global Hawk drone has left Ukraine’s airspace but is still monitoring the situation near Crimea.
- Russian MoD claims that Ukrainian air defenses have been suppressed.
- Ukrainians are claiming to have shot down 5 Russian planes and 1 attack helicopter.
- Air raid sirens in center Kyiv.
Air raid sirens in center Kyiv. #AFP pic.twitter.com/JmydyZobhs
— Daphne Rousseau (@daphnerousseau) February 24, 2022
- The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said airspace in Russia and Belarus within 100 nautical miles of their borders with Ukraine could also pose safety risks.
- An El Al flight from Tel Aviv to Toronto made a sudden U-turn out of Ukraine’s airspace around the time of its closure.
- A LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw to Kyiv also turned back to Warsaw around the same time.
On its website, Ukraine State Air Traffic Services Enterprise said the country’s airspace was closed to civilian flights starting from 0045 GMT on Thursday, with air traffic services suspended.
EASA said Russia’s defence ministry had sent Ukraine an urgent message warning of a high risk to flight safety, due to the use of weapons and military equipment from 0045 GMT, and asked Ukraine’s air traffic control to stop flights.
Planes stuck at Kyiv Boryspil International Airport :
- 2 Turkish Air Force A400Ms
- Ukraine International Airlines : 4 Boeing 737-800, 2 Embraer E190
- Azurair : 1 Boeing 777, 3 Boeing 767, 3 Boeing 757, 1 Boeing 737
Planes stuck at Kyiv Zhuliany Airport :
- Wizz Air : 3 A320
Russia has also closed some airspace in the Rostov sector to the east of its border with Ukraine “in order to provide safety” for civil aviation flights, a notice to airmen showed.
