OSLO — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s aircraft was temporarily grounded in Moldova on Tuesday after a Russian drone entered the country’s airspace, creating a serious threat near his planned departure for Norway.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Zelensky’s plane was “almost hit during takeoff.” Moldovan authorities confirmed that the country’s airspace was closed around 4:30 p.m. after a Russian drone entered from Ukraine. It later exploded in Moldova, about 160 kilometres from the airport Zelensky was due to use.
A Ukrainian official travelling with Zelensky told the Financial Times that it was likely a fast-moving Russian Shahed drone and that its proximity to the airport raised the possibility that the presidential aircraft may have been a target.
After the threat passed, Zelensky continued to Oslo, where he attended the funeral of Norway’s King Harald.