depictingthe current battlefield in Ukraine
The Ukrainian airspace has been off-limits to commercial flights since February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its military invasion of Ukraine. This closure was announced by the Ukrainian state aviation authority, "Ukraerorukh," as a safety measure amid the ongoing conflict and the heightened security risks posed by the war.
The Economist has created a visualization to depict the avoidance of Ukrainian airspace by commercial flights since the closure. The visualization shows that pilots have steered clear of Ukrainian airspace entirely since February 24, 2022. Prior to this date, the visualization shows commercial flights passing over Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.
The EU Aviation Safety Agency has labeled Ukrainian airspace as an active conflict zone, highlighting the dangers that civilian aircraft might face in the region. These dangers include airstrikes, drone attacks, and surface-to-air threats present during the war.
The visualization does not indicate any flights over Russian airspace on February 23rd and 24th. It also does not show any commercial flights over Ukrainian airspace after February 24th. This reflects the closures and the ongoing conflict risks that make flying over Ukraine unsafe for civil aviation.
The closure of Ukrainian airports and the grounding of Ukrainian airlines, including Ukraine International Airlines, are a direct result of the war and the airspace closure. The closure aims to protect civilian aircraft from the dangers of military conflict.
The visualization provided by The Economist is a representation of commercial flight paths over Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia during a specific period. It serves as a testament to the far-reaching effects of the conflict on civilian life and commerce.
[References] [1] The Economist. (2022). Commercial flights avoid Ukrainian airspace. [online] Available at: https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2022/03/04/commercial-flights-avoid-ukrainian-airspace [2] Ukraerorukh. (2022). Airspace closure announcement. [online] Available at: https://ukraerorukh.gov.ua/en/news/airspace-closure-announcement [3] BBC News. (2022). Ukraine airspace closed to civilian flights. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60393686 [4] Reuters. (2022). Ukraine airspace closed to civilian flights. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-closes-airspace-civilian-flights-2022-02-24/ [5] Ukraine International Airlines. (2022). Suspension of flights due to the war. [online] Available at: https://www.flyui.com/en/news/suspension-of-flights-due-to-the-war/
AI technology has been used to analyze the effect of politics and the ongoing war in Ukraine on general-news topics such as commercial aviation. The visualization created by The Economist showcases how the closure of Ukrainian airspace has significantly impacted sports events and commercial flights, with pilots steering clear of Ukrainian airspace entirely since the conflict began.
