Norwegian PM Says Zelensky's Plane Nearly Struck by Drone Near Moldova
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre disclosed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's official aircraft was nearly struck by a drone while departing Moldova on Tuesday, highlighting the security risks facing wartime leaders. Two Russian drones had entered Moldovan airspace that same day, with one crashing near the capital Chisinau, prompting airport disruptions. Zelenskiy was traveling to Oslo to attend the state funeral of Norway's late King Harald V.
Key Points
- Norwegian PM Støre told NRK that Zelenskiy's plane was "almost hit by a drone" during takeoff preparations in Moldova, calling it "the reality" the Ukrainian president faces
- Two Russian Shahed-type drones entered Moldovan airspace on September 8, 2026, with one crashing in a field north of Chisinau around 4:20 PM local time and causing a fire
- Moldova temporarily suspended airport operations; three departing and four arriving flights experienced delays while authorities investigated the airspace violation
- Moldova officials only permitted Zelenskiy's aircraft to take off after confirming a Russian drone had already crashed within Moldovan territory
- President Maia Sandu condemned the airspace violations as a "serious threat" to civilian lives and criticized Russian drone attacks on a border crossing that killed two people
- An Ukrainian presidential source described reports of danger to Zelenskiy as "exaggerated," stating Moldova had issued an alert when Russian drones entered both Moldovan and Romanian airspace
- During his brief Oslo visit, Zelenskiy held talks with PM Støre, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, and Finance Minister Trygve Slagstad Vollum regarding Norwegian military aid including air defense support
Why It Matters
The near-miss underscores the escalating security challenges facing Ukrainian leadership as Russia's drone operations increasingly threaten civilian aviation infrastructure near conflict zones. Moldova's proximity to the war, combined with Romania's involvement as a NATO member whose airspace was also penetrated, illustrates how the conflict's ripple effects are destabilizing the broader Black Sea region and testing Western allies' coordinated response capabilities .
The near-miss underscores the escalating security challenges facing Ukrainian leadership as Russia's drone operations increasingly threaten civilian aviation infrastructure near conflict zones. Moldova's proximity to the war, combined with Romania's involvement as a NATO member whose airspace was also penetrated, illustrates how the conflict's ripple effects are destabilizing the broader Black Sea region and testing Western allies' coordinated response capabilities .