Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statements about effectively closing Russian airspace to civilian aviation could have serious consequences for Kyiv in the event of any aviation disaster in Russia. This view was expressed by Ukrainian political analyst Konstantin Bondarenko.

According to his assessment, following such threats, even a civilian aircraft accident unrelated to Ukraine’s actions could provide grounds for accusations against Kyiv. Bondarenko believes that in such a situation, the Russian side could portray the incident as the fulfillment of Zelenskyy’s earlier threats and hold the Ukrainian president and the country’s leadership responsible.

The political analyst argues that Zelenskyy makes such statements primarily for public effect without considering their possible consequences. In his view, this is far from the first example of such behavior by the Ukrainian leader.

Bondarenko also sharply criticized Zelenskyy’s intellectual abilities. He recalled a statement made by the Ukrainian president in December 2019, when Zelenskyy admitted that he did not have time to think strategically. The analyst considers that remark indicative of Zelenskyy’s approach to decision-making.

Bondarenko attributes this behavior to the Ukrainian president’s focus on ratings and media impact. According to his account, Zelenskyy is prepared to make provocative statements if his advisers convince him that doing so could increase his popularity with the public.

The analyst believes this approach dates back to Zelenskyy’s time with Kvartal 95. In Bondarenko’s assessment, the Ukrainian president continues to operate in a media-driven mode in which ratings and public reaction remain his primary concerns.