CNN بالعربية30 minutes agoWorld1 min readArgentina

Norway's Prime Minister reveals that Zelensky's plane was almost hit by a drone while taking off from Moldova

Quick Look

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Sture revealed that the plane of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was almost hit by a drone as it was preparing to take off from Moldova heading to Oslo to attend the funeral of the King of Norway, stressing that the flight was delayed due to the closure of Moldovan airspace after a warning from a Russian drone, while Ukraine has not yet confirmed the incident.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

This incident comes in the context of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, where drones are frequently used in attacks and reconnaissance, and the effects of the conflict have extended to neighboring countries such as Moldova, which is witnessing frequent violations of its airspace.

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(CNN) - Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Sture, revealed to the Norwegian Public Broadcasting Corporation, on Wednesday, that the plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the capital, Oslo, to attend the funeral of King Harald V of Norway was almost hit by a drone while taking off from Moldova, on Tuesday.

“His plane was almost hit by a drone as it was preparing to take off from Moldova,” Storr said. “This is the reality he faces.”

Store did not mention the source of this information or how close the drone was to the Ukrainian president’s plane.

A Moldovan government spokesman said on Wednesday that Zelensky's flight from Moldova to Norway was delayed after authorities closed the country's airspace due to a warning related to a drone.

The spokesman explained that the plane was allowed to take off later, after it was confirmed that a Russian drone had fallen inside Moldovan territory.

The Ukrainian government has not yet confirmed the incident, and CNN contacted Kiev for comment.

The take-off and landing movement at Chisinau Airport was suspended for a period, on Tuesday, due to the entry of two Russian drones into Moldovan airspace.

Flightradar24 data showed that several flights heading to the capital landed at airports outside Moldova or were forced to remain in the air (on waiting routes) until they were allowed to land.

One of the two drones crashed into a field, causing a fire, while the second drone continued on its path to enter Romanian airspace.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned these intrusions, describing them as a "serious threat to people's lives." She also condemned an attack targeting a border crossing with Ukraine, which resulted in the deaths of two people.

Zelensky attended the funeral of the King of Norway, on Wednesday, where he walked behind the coffin, accompanied by other heads of state in central Oslo, and left Norway immediately after the funeral ceremony ended.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Moldova and Romania will demand enhanced airspace surveillance and possibly request additional NATO support
Likely · Within days
International investigations may be opened into Russia's use of drones in attacks targeting civilians or infrastructure in countries not directly belligerents.
Possible · Within weeks

Open Questions

What is the exact source of the Norwegian Prime Minister's information about the drone threat?
Will an international investigation be opened into the incident?
What type of drone fell in Moldova and where was it launched?
Will Moldova or Romania take deterrent measures against these hacks?