Cyprus closes sky to Russian aircraft

"NOTAM was issued at midnight on February 28 to close the airspace for Russian aircraft," Minister of Transport of Cyprus Yiannis Karousos posted on Twitter.

The minister clarified that Cyprus had closed the sky to Russian aircraft in accordance with the EU decision. Nicosia agreed to this step subject to the closure of European airspace for Russian aircraft due to Russia's attack on Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union was closing its airspace to all Russian aircraft, including private jets.

Earlier, a number of European countries closed the skies for Russian airlines upon their own initiative.

Russian president Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine on February 24 and launched a large-scale invasion. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying key infrastructure facilities. Missiles hit residential buildings.

Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced.

Ukraine officially filed a lawsuit against the Russian Federation at the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of all Ukrainian people, courageously resist the Russian aggression.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the losses of the Russian army currently total about 4,500 people.

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