A tense moment unfolded in Moldova as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy prepared to leave the country for Norway.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said Zelenskiy’s aircraft was nearly struck by a drone before take-off.
The incident followed a temporary closure of Moldovan airspace after authorities received a drone alert.
Moldovan authorities later allowed Zelenskiy’s aircraft to depart after assessing the situation.
However, officials have not publicly confirmed how close the drone came to the president’s plane.
Zelenskiy’s Aircraft Delayed in Moldova
Stoere revealed the reported near-miss while speaking to Norwegian public broadcaster NRK on Wednesday.
“His plane was almost hit by a drone as it was about to take off from Moldova. That is the reality he is facing,” Stoere told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK on Wednesday.
However, Stoere did not identify the source of his information or provide the drone’s distance from the aircraft.
Meanwhile, a Moldovan government spokesperson confirmed that the country’s airspace closure delayed Zelenskiy’s departure.
The spokesperson said authorities cleared the president’s aircraft for take-off after confirming that a Russian drone had fallen inside Moldova.
Russian Drones Disrupt Moldovan Airspace
The reported incident came after two Russian drones entered Moldovan airspace on Tuesday. Their presence disrupted operations at Chisinau airport and affected several flights.
Several aircraft heading toward the Moldovan capital were diverted to other airports. Other flights were placed into holding patterns during the disruption, according to flight-tracking data.
One of the drones crashed into a field and started a fire.The second drone continued into Romanian airspace after crossing Moldova.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu described the airspace incursions as a “serious threat to people’s lives”. Moreover, Moldova’s government has recently warned about an increase in Russian drone incursions.
The warnings have come as Russia continues its aerial campaign against Ukraine. Moldova’s prime minister said on Wednesday that such incursions had increased significantly.
Drone Threat Extends to Ukrainian Border Crossing
The wider security threat also reached areas near Moldova’s border with Ukraine. Russian drones struck a Ukrainian border crossing near Moldova on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian officials.
The attack killed two people and wounded three others. It also halted traffic at the crossing as Russia intensified strikes against Ukrainian logistics routes.
The developments have added to concerns surrounding drone activity across the region.
Zelenskiy Travels to Norway for King Harald’s Funeral
Zelenskiy was travelling to Oslo to attend the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V. The Norwegian king died on August 28 at the age of 89.
Zelenskiy attended the funeral in Norway on Wednesday alongside other heads of state.
He departed Norway shortly after the ceremony. Before Zelenskiy arrived, Stoere said he planned to meet the Ukrainian president.
Their discussions were expected to focus on Ukraine’s urgent need for air defence and other military support. Russia continues to carry out missile and drone attacks against Ukraine.
Zelenskiy also planned discussions with companies involved in the Freyja initiative. The European project aims to develop an anti-ballistic missile defence system.
Details of Reported Near-Miss Remain Unclear
The reported incident has not been independently corroborated.Moldovan authorities have confirmed the temporary airspace closure and the drone incident.
However, they have not publicly confirmed the distance between the drone and Zelenskiy’s aircraft. Stoere’s account therefore provides the main public description of the reported near-miss.
The circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s departure remain subject to further clarification. For now, the confirmed airspace disruption shows the wider impact of drone activity in Moldova.
At the same time, the reported near-miss highlights the security risks facing Zelenskiy during his international travel.
