Drone Incident Involving Zelenskyy’s Plane Near Moldova

On Tuesday, a plane transporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was nearly struck by a drone as it prepared for takeoff from Moldova. This incident was reported by Reuters, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre discussing it on Wednesday.

According to Støre, the plane came dangerously close to the drone, highlighting the threats Zelenskyy faces. However, he did not specify the exact proximity of the encounter.

A Moldovan government spokesperson later clarified that two Russian drones were involved. Zelenskyy’s departure to Oslo was delayed since Moldovan authorities closed the airspace for safety reasons. The plane was permitted to take off after confirming one drone had landed on Moldovan soil.

“His plane was almost hit by a drone as it was about to take off from Moldova. That is the reality he is facing,” Støre said.

One drone landed north of the Moldovan capital, starting a fire. The other drone continued into Romanian airspace. This caused disruptions at Chișinău International Airport, where arrivals and departures were temporarily suspended.

Moldova’s President, Maia Sandu, condemned these actions, labeling them a “serious threat to people’s lives.” She also criticized a Russian drone strike on a border crossing with Ukraine that resulted in casualties.

Zelenskyy ultimately arrived in Oslo, where discussions covered military and civilian aid. This included air defense support, important among ongoing regional security concerns.

The Institute for the Study of War reported that a Russian Shahed drone traversed Moldovan and Romanian airspace for about an hour before crashing in Moldova. Such incidents highlight ongoing tensions involving airspace violations.

Emma Bussey, a writer for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report. Before working with Fox, she was part of The Telegraph’s U.S. overnight team, offering extensive experience across various news sectors.