Zelenskyy plane nearly hit by drone during takeoff from Moldova

OSLO — Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says a plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was almost hit by a drone during takeoff from Moldova on Tuesday. The claim, delivered to the public broadcaster NRK, characterizes the event as a reflection of the reality the Ukrainian leader faces daily. However, a source from the Ukrainian presidency has dismissed claims that Zelenskyy was in direct physical danger as exaggerated.

The incident occurred as Zelenskyy departed Moldova for Oslo to attend the funeral of King Harald V. While Norwegian officials describe a near-collision, Moldovan authorities maintain the aircraft was simply delayed by a general airspace closure. The discrepancy centers on whether the drone posed an immediate threat to the corporate jet or if the plane was grounded as a precaution until the airspace was cleared.

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The "Near-Hit" vs. Airspace Delay

The tension between the accounts stems from the level of proximity reported. Prime Minister Støre explicitly stated the plane was almost hit during takeoff. This account was supported by Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who noted that Zelenskyy personally recounted a chaotic departure and threats against the plane during a meeting in the Norwegian capital on Tuesday night.

Conversely, a spokesperson for the Moldovan government told Reuters that the plane was only cleared for takeoff after drones had exited the country's airspace. According to this version of events, the security protocol — closing the airspace, prevented any actual encounter between the drone and the aircraft.

The Ukrainian president's office has not officially confirmed the incident, though the aforementioned presidential source suggested the narrative of immediate risk had been overstated.

Technical Timeline and Drone Trajectory

Data provided by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and Moldovan authorities indicates that the disruption was caused by a Russian Shahed drone. The drone's movements on Tuesday followed a erratic path across borders:

Event	Detail	Location/Time
Initial Entry	Shahed drone enters from Ukraine	Moldovan Airspace, ~4:20 p.m.
Transborder Flight	Drone flies over neighboring territory	Romania
Re-entry	Drone returns to Moldovan airspace	Moldova
Final Outcome	Drone crashes; causes fire (no casualties)	Glodeni District, Moldova

The timing of the drone's entry at approximately 4:20 p.m. Aligns with the window during which Zelenskyy would have been preparing for his departure to Oslo. This specific timeline provides the basis for the Norwegian claim that the flight was directly impacted by the drone's presence.

Air-Defense Industrial Cooperation

The incident occurred against a backdrop of urgent Ukrainian requests for enhanced protection. Upon arriving in Oslo, Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister Støre, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, and Finance Minister Stoltenberg. According to Anadolu Agency, these discussions focused on military and civilian aid, specifically anti-ballistic capabilities and additional air-defense systems.

A key point of these talks was the exploration of an industrial solution. Støre indicated that Norwegian and Ukrainian industries are evaluating whether Ukraine could produce its own air-defense systems through joint cooperation.

The security of the transit highlighted the broader risks of "gray-zone" attacks in Europe. While NATO has accused Russia of intentionally sending drones into Eastern European airspace to test reactions, the Kremlin continues to deny such operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the drone actually strike the aircraft?

No. All sources agree the plane arrived safely in Oslo. The disagreement is whether the drone came close to hitting the plane or if the plane was kept on the ground until the drone was gone.

What type of drone was involved?

Moldovan authorities identified the aircraft as a Shahed, which is the primary attack drone used by Russia.

Where did the drone eventually end up?

The drone crashed in the northwestern district of Glodeni in Moldova, where it started a fire but caused no casualties.

While the diplomatic mission to Norway was completed and the funeral of King Harald V took place on Wednesday, the precise nature of the threat remains a point of contention. The Ukrainian president's office has yet to provide a detailed response regarding exactly how close the Shahed drone came to the aircraft during the takeoff sequence.

Diplomatic Aftermath and Security Risks

Following the funeral of King Harald V on Wednesday, Prime Minister Støre noted that Zelenskyy had departed Norway for Canada to meet with leaders in Ottawa. This transit occurred amid a period of heightened military activity; according to Zelenskyy in a post on X, Ukrainian defense forces simultaneously launched long-range strikes against a major Russian naval base in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, located in the Krasnodar region.

While the funeral proceedings concluded, the incident in Moldova highlighted the precarious nature of the Ukrainian leader's travel. State Secretary Bhanuja Rasiah at the Prime Minister's Office told NRK that it remains uncertain how close the drones were to his plane, though the airspace risk directly impacted the flight's schedule.

The discrepancies in the accounts of the takeoff are compounded by the broader strategic environment. As reported by Business Insider, NATO has accused Russia of intentionally directing drones into Eastern Europe to test regional reactions, a claim the Kremlin denies. Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who previously served as NATO chief, emphasized the significance of Zelenskyy's presence at the funeral despite the problems getting out of the region.

Zelenskyy has since called for international partners to increase assistance to halt ongoing escalation. In discussions with representatives from European leadership and the team of US President Donald Trump, including US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Zelenskyy sought to revive negotiations. For the Ukrainian president, the next step is securing a lasting peace agreement and stronger air defense capabilities to mitigate the risks that nearly disrupted his journey to Oslo.