Airlines warned to avoid flying over or near Ukraine

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is warning airlines not to fly over or near Ukraine as Russia attacks its neighbor.

“In particular, there is a risk of both intentional targeting and misidentification of civil aircraft,” EASA warned in a conflict zone bulletin, according to the news service. 

“The presence and possible use of a wide range of ground and airborne warfare systems poses a high risk for civil flights operating at all altitudes and flight levels,” EASA added.

The Reuters news service also reported that Ukrainian airspace was closed to civilian flights early Thursday morning.

Nearby nations including Moldova and Belarus, where Russian forces were deployed ahead of the attack on Ukraine, also reportedly closed their airspace.