A plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was almost hit by a drone as it took off from Moldova, the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said. The revelations raised fresh concerns about the threat of drones to civilian aviation and to international travel in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Støre disclosed the incident when he appeared on the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. Zelenskyy’s aircraft was almost hit by a drone as it was leaving Moldova, the Norwegian prime minister, Støre, said. He said the incident reflected the security risks facing the Ukrainian president.
But details of the alleged near-miss remain unclear. Støre did not say how close the drone got to the plane, what drone was involved, and when the information was given. Ukrainian officials also have had a more cautious view of the situation, and a Ukrainian presidential source has said that the idea that Zelenskyy's aircraft was at risk is exaggerated.
Zelenskyy Was Travelling From Moldova to Norway
Zelenskyy was travelling from Moldova to Oslo when the incident occurred. He was scheduled to attend the funeral of Norway's King Harald V, who died on August 28 at the age of 89. The Ukrainian president arrived safely in Oslo and later attended the funeral together with other international leaders and dignitaries.
The journey was delayed due to a drone alert in Moldova. Moldovan authorities temporarily closed the country's airspace after drones entered the region and disrupted several flights arriving at and leaving the Chisinau International Airport. One drone landed in a field and caused a fire, while another continued into Romanian airspace.
The incident took place in the context of growing drone activity in the region. Moldova has repeatedly expressed concern about drones that are associated with the war in Ukraine entering its airspace, and Romania, a NATO member, has also had incidents involving drones and airspace violations.
Ukrainian Officials Give More Cautious Account
Støre said that the situation was only a near-collision involving Zelenskyy's plane. According to a Ukrainian presidential source, the situation had been overstated. The alert involved a Russian drone entering Moldovan and Romanian airspace, rather than a close encounter with Zelenskyy's aircraft.
This is significant since no official evidence has been provided so far that the drone was very close to Zelenskyy's plane. The exact facts of this incident are still open to debate.
Air Defence Was a Key Topic During Zelenskyy's Norway Visit
The drone scare also occurred when Ukraine was looking to receive more international support for its air-defence capabilities. When Zelenskyy visited Norway, he spoke with Støre and other Norwegian officials about military assistance, including air-defence support and broader assistance for Ukraine.
Norwegian and Ukrainian officials have also been discussing cooperation on advanced air-defence systems. Zelenskyy’s visit also included talks about the Freyja initiative, a European project aimed at developing stronger protection against ballistic and other aerial threats.
The timing of the incident thus makes Europe's discussions about airspace security even more pressing. Drones are increasingly a focal point of the Ukrainian conflict, and attacks and airspace violations affect not only the two countries directly involved in the war but also neighbouring countries.
Growing Security Concerns Across Europe
The incident with Zelenskyy's aircraft highlights the more complex security environment in Eastern Europe. Moldova is not a member of NATO, and neighbouring Romania is. Drone activity across borders has therefore become a major concern for governments in the region.
So far, there is no indication that Zelenskyy or any other passengers on the plane were injured. The Ukrainian president has already returned to Norway and has attended the royal funeral as planned.
The incident is still being investigated as officials weigh the circumstances around the drone alert. Questions remain about whether Zelenskyy’s plane was in real danger, and the incident indicates the greater threat to civilian aviation and international travel from drones and aerial warfare in a region that has been so badly affected by the war in Ukraine.
