Zelensky's plane nearly hit by drone during takeoff from Moldova, Norwegian PM says
Quick Look
- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's plane was nearly struck by a drone during takeoff from Moldova en route to Oslo for the King of Norway's funeral.
- Moldovan officials did not comment on the claim, while flight data showed two Russian drones entered Moldovan airspace on Tuesday, one landing in a field and causing a fire, the other entering Romanian airspace.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was en route to Oslo to attend the funeral of the King of Norway when his plane was reportedly nearly struck by a drone during takeoff from Moldova. The incident occurred on the same day that Moldovan authorities suspended flights at Chisinau airport due to two Russian drones entering the country's airspace.
The plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Oslo for the funeral of the king of Norway was nearly struck by a drone when taking off from Moldova on Tuesday, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told 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,” said Stoere, who did not say what his source was for the information or how close the drone came.
Officials in Moldova made no comment on Stoere’s statement regarding Zelensky’s plane.
Arrivals and departures at Chisinau airport were suspended for a time on Tuesday in connection with two Russian drones that entered Moldovan airspace.
Several flights bound for the capital landed at airports outside Moldova or were forced into holding patterns, according to data from Flightradar24.
One drone landed in a field, triggering a fire, while the second carried on into Romanian airspace.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Moldovan authorities will enhance drone detection and air defense capabilities at Chisinau airport and other key locations
Likely · Within weeks
NATO will increase surveillance and air patrols over Moldova and Romania in response to the drone incursions
Possible · Within days
Open Questions
- What was the exact distance between the drone and Zelensky's plane during the near-miss?
- Who provided Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere with the information about the drone incident?
- Have Moldovan or Romanian authorities confirmed the origin or trajectory of the drones?
- Was the drone that entered Romanian airspace intercepted or monitored by NATO forces?
