Belarus: Russia blocks some flights for avoiding its ally

SharecloseShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingimage copyrightGetty Images

Russia has denied entry to two European airlines because they planned to avoid flying over Belarus to get to Moscow.

Air France and Austrian Airlines have both had to cancel services after their flight plans were rejected by Russia.

Some airlines are avoiding Belarusian airspace in protest after the government there forced a Ryanair plane to divert and land in Minsk on Sunday.

A Belarusian dissident journalist and his girlfriend were then arrested.

Russia is a strong ally of