An extensive body of literature in international relations scholarship has focused on explaining why state and non-state actors perpetrate violence against a country’s civilian population during conflicts. However, what has been less explored is why these actors occasionally target foreigners residing in or even travelling above the country’s airspace. Indeed, the primary causes of violence against local civilians do not appear to explain the targeting of foreigners sufficiently. Utilizing press releases, news media, and think tank reports, this paper will employ a qualitative case study of Russia’s pre-2022 war in Ukraine in order to examine the rationale behind the targeting of foreign civilians. What is the reason, if any, that state and non-state actors attack civilian aircraft? To what extent is this a purposeful choice? What is the strategic logic behind this?