Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plane came close to a drone while departing Moldova for Norway, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told broadcaster NRK.
“His plane nearly collided with a drone while taking off from Moldova. This is the reality he lives in,” Støre said.
However, the Norwegian prime minister did not disclose the source of his information or specify how close the drone was to the presidential aircraft.
Støre’s office later clarified that a drone threat had been detected in Moldovan airspace, delaying Zelenskyy’s departure for Oslo. There is currently no information allowing officials to determine the actual distance between the drone and the plane.
On the same day, Moldova’s Defense Ministry reported that a Shahed-type drone had crossed the country’s airspace. It was detected at 4:20 p.m. after entering from the direction of Ukraine. The drone flew over Moldova and headed toward Romania at 4:37 p.m.
Part of the airspace was temporarily closed because of the threat. Romania scrambled F/A-18 fighter jets participating in NATO’s air-policing mission, while Iași Airport briefly suspended takeoffs and landings. The drone later crashed near the Moldovan village of Mihăilenii Vechi.
Officials have not confirmed whether this was the same drone that caused the delay to Zelenskyy’s flight.
Zelenskyy arrived in Norway on the evening of September 8 and attended the farewell ceremony for King Harald V the following day. During his visit, he also held talks with Støre on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses and developing the European FREYJA anti-ballistic defense system. Reuters also reported the Norwegian prime minister’s remarks.
