Following Russia’s military activity in Ukraine’s east, the country’s airspace has been blocked to civilian planes.

It indicated a significant risk to flight safety in the Donbas region owing to the usage of firearms and military equipment.

Flying through adjacent airspace in Russia and Belarus poses significant safety hazards, according to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

The regulator stated, “There is a danger of both intentional targeting and misidentification of civil aircraft.”

“The existence and potential deployment of a wide variety of ground and aerial combat equipment poses a significant risk to civil planes of all altitudes and flying levels.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has ordered aircraft going to or from UK airports to avoid Ukraine’s airspace.

On Tuesday, British citizens were encouraged to leave the country.

“I’ve directed the UK—CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) to ensure airlines avoid Ukraine airspace to keep passengers and crew safe,” Mr Shapps tweeted.

“We will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people and work with with international allies to respond to this act of aggression,” he said.

Wizz Air and Ryanair, which were still flying to Ukraine from the UK, said that all flights had been canceled.

A missile shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 on way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur in 2014, killing all 298 people on board.

The plane was shot down three months after pro-Russian rebels in the Donbass area proclaimed independence, sparking war.

Investigators were able to trace the missile used to Russia, which denies any involvement.