Biden Bans Russian Aircraft in US Airspace

U.S. President Joe Biden announced, on Tuesday, that the United States is banning Russian aircraft from its airspace in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine.

The announcement comes amid a series of sanctions against Russia and follows similar actions by Canada and the European Union this week.

Biden said the moves would further isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The Ruble has lost 30% of its value,” he noted. “The Russian stock market has lost 40% of its value and trading remains suspended. Russia’s economy is reeling and Putin alone is to blame.”

Moreover, Biden indicated that the US Department of Justice was assembling a dedicated task force to go after “the crimes of Russian oligarchs."

"We are joining with our European allies to find and seize their yachts, their luxury apartments, their private jets. We are coming for their ill-begotten gains,” he added.

“Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson: when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos,” the American President affirmed. “They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising.”

On Monday, Washington urged American citizens in Russia to consider leaving “immediately” due to the unjustified attack by Russian forces in Ukraine.

The State Department authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency employees and family members at the U.S. embassy of Moscow.

“Due to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, an increasing number of airlines are cancelling flights into and out of Russia, and numerous countries have closed their airspace to Russian airlines. In addition, air space around southern Russia is restricted and a number of airports in the area have closed,” the alert said. “U.S. citizens located in or considering travel to the districts of the Russian Federation immediately bordering Ukraine should be aware that the situation along the border is dangerous and unpredictable.”