Norway's Prime Minister revealed that the plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, traveling from Moldova to Oslo to attend King Harald V's funeral, was nearly attacked by a drone. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials stated this was a warning after a Russian drone violated Moldovan and Romanian airspace.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre disclosed that the plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, en route from Moldova to Oslo, was nearly attacked by a drone while preparing to depart Moldova to attend King Harald V's funeral in Norway.
Prime Minister Støre told Norway's NRK television that Zelensky's plane was "nearly attacked by a drone" as it was taking off from Moldova, adding that this is the harsh reality the Ukrainian leader faces daily. However, he did not provide further details about the incident.
A source from the Ukrainian presidential office provided a slightly different account, stating the incident was a warning alert in Moldova after a Russian drone entered Moldovan and Romanian airspace. They emphasized that claims Zelensky was in danger were exaggerated.
The incident caused Zelensky's flight to be delayed while waiting at Chișinău International Airport, Moldova's capital. The plane was allowed to depart only after officials confirmed the drone had crashed within Moldovan territory. Reports indicate the drone was jet-powered and crashed about 160 kilometers from the airport, exploding upon impact.
Vladislav Kulminski, Moldova's ambassador to the United States, said the incident likely was "not an accident," noting it is improbable that a jet-powered drone would enter Moldovan airspace solely for reconnaissance while the Ukrainian president's plane was parked at the airport.
When asked if Moldovan officials suspect the drone was targeting Zelensky, Kulminski replied it is too early to conclude, as investigations are ongoing. He acknowledged that Zelensky regularly uses Moldovan airspace for foreign travel and that incidents like this may not be isolated. The Russian government has not commented on the event.
Moldovan authorities reported that besides the first drone, another drone entered Moldovan airspace on Tuesday (8 Sep) before continuing into Romanian airspace. Moldova, which shares a border with Ukraine, temporarily closed its airspace after detecting drone incursions. Authorities noted Russian drones frequently violate Moldovan and Romanian airspace during the ongoing conflict with Ukraine that has lasted over four years.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the airspace violations as a "serious threat to civilian lives" and denounced the Russian drone attack near the border with Ukraine on Tuesday, which caused two fatalities.
Zelensky arrived in Oslo Tuesday evening and met with Prime Minister Støre, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide to discuss military aid for Ukraine, especially air defense support, as well as civilian assistance.
On Wednesday (9 Sep), Zelensky attended the funeral of King Harald V, who passed away on 28 August at age 89. Over 20 foreign leaders and dignitaries participated. Among the foreign royals present were Prince William, the Prince of Wales from the UK, and Crown Prince Akishino of Japan.
Prime Minister Støre stated that after the funeral, Zelensky planned to travel on to Canada to meet Canadian leaders. He added that Zelensky had met with him again before the funeral and recounted the previous night's situation, explaining that Zelensky had to follow news of missile strikes in Ukraine by phone and barely got any rest.
Stoltenberg, who joined the talks with Zelensky Tuesday night, said the Ukrainian leader described the incident that delayed his flight from Moldova and confirmed there was a threat to the plane, though Stoltenberg could not reveal further details.
Stoltenberg said that traveling out of Ukraine is never easy, and emphasized Zelensky's great effort to attend the funeral in Norway. Former Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide called the situation Zelensky faced extremely serious, noting the Ukrainian leader is under continuous threat but remains determined not to flee the country and continues to meet world leaders to maintain support for Ukraine.