MOLDOVA: The aircraft carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was delayed in Moldova after authorities temporarily closed the country’s airspace following a drone alert, while Norway’s prime minister said the plane was nearly struck by a drone as it prepared to depart.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told broadcaster NRK on Wednesday that Zelenskiy’s aircraft was “almost hit by a drone” while taking off from Moldova. He did not identify the source of the information or disclose how close the drone came to the aircraft.
Moldovan authorities confirmed that the country’s airspace was temporarily closed after two Russian drones entered Moldovan airspace on Tuesday. A government spokesperson said Zelenskiy’s aircraft was allowed to depart after authorities determined that a Russian drone had crashed on Moldovan territory.
The incident disrupted operations at Chisinau airport, with several flights diverted or placed in holding patterns. One drone crashed in a field and caused a fire, while the other continued into Romanian airspace, according to reported flight-tracking data.
What happened to Zelenskiy’s aircraft in Moldova?
Zelenskiy’s departure was delayed while Moldovan authorities assessed the drone threat and secured the country’s airspace.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu described the incursions as a serious threat to public safety, while the Moldovan government said Russian drone activity over the country has increased in recent weeks amid Moscow’s intensified aerial campaign against Ukraine.
The incident also highlighted the growing risk of the Ukraine war spilling into neighbouring countries. On Wednesday, Russian drones struck a Ukrainian border crossing near Moldova, killing two people and injuring three, according to Ukrainian officials.
The attack disrupted traffic at the crossing as Russia intensified strikes on Ukrainian logistical routes.
Could Russian drone attacks widen the regional security threat?
The reported incident involving Zelenskiy’s aircraft comes as Russia continues missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, increasing security concerns for neighbouring Moldova and Romania.
Zelenskiy was travelling to Oslo to attend the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V, who died on August 28 at the age of 89. He attended the funeral on Wednesday before leaving Norway.
Before Zelenskiy’s arrival, Stoere said he planned to discuss Ukraine’s urgent need for air defence and additional military support as Russian attacks continue.
Zelenskiy was also expected to meet companies involved in the Freyja initiative, a European effort focused on developing anti-ballistic missile defence capabilities.
Norwegian officials have not provided further details about the reported near-miss. The claim that Zelenskiy’s aircraft was nearly struck by a drone has not been independently corroborated, while Moldovan authorities have confirmed the airspace closure and drone incident but have not publicly confirmed how close the drone came to the president’s aircraft.