Zelenskyy's Plane Narrowly Avoids Russian Drone Over Norway
A drone nearly struck the plane carrying Zelenskyy as it took off from Moldova on Tuesday, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told public broadcaster NRK on Wednesday. Støre offered no details on the source of the information or the drone's proximity.
- Støre said: 'That is the reality he is facing.'
- A Ukrainian presidency source told AFP the account was 'exaggerated.'
- The source described an alert when a Russian drone entered Moldovan and Romanian airspace.
- Russian drones have repeatedly violated Moldovan airspace in recent months.
Why it matters: The episode highlights the dangers of wartime travel for Zelenskyy and the broader instability drone incursions create across the region.
- Journalist Amichai Stein cited a source saying Moldova's authorities believe the drone's presence was not accidental — an assessment not confirmed on the record by Moldovan officials.
How 16 sources split on this story
Where they split: Whether the drone posed a deliberate threat to Zelenskyy's aircraft or was a routine regional incursion is directly disputed between Støre's account and the Ukrainian presidency's.
Center coverage, 5 sources: The center reports Støre's statement and the absence of corroborating detail without additional interpretation.
Reuters7hZelenskiy’s plane 'almost hit' by drone on Tuesday, Norway PM says
Deutsche Welle6hNorway's PM: Zelenskyy's plane almost hit by drone
Financial Times4hDrone almost struck Zelenskyy’s plane, says Ukraine
USA Today5hZelenskiy's plane almost hit by drone, Norway PM saysYNYahoo News4hDrone alert delayed Zelenskiy's departure for Norway, Moldova saysLeft coverage, 7 sources: The left highlights the gravity of the near-miss and its broader implications for European security, while also noting the Ukrainian presidency's pushback on the severity.
Raw Story5h'OMG': Shockwaves after Zelenskyy's plane nearly hit by drone
Al Jazeera7hZelenskyy’s plane ‘almost hit’ by drone on way to Oslo, Norwegian PM says
CNN4hZelensky’s plane almost hit by drone on Tuesday, Norway PM says
MSNBC48mFlight carrying Ukraine’s Zelenskyy delayed in Moldova after Russian drone alert
NBC News1hFlight carrying Zelenskyy to Norway was delayed in Moldova because of drone incursion
The Independent35mFlight carrying Zelenskyy to Norway was delayed in Moldova because of drone incursion
The Washington Post3hPlane carrying Zelensky threatened by drone in Moldova, Norway’s premier saysRight coverage, 4 sources: The right frames the incident as a targeted Russian attack on Zelenskyy's plane, emphasizing the threat while placing it alongside broader Russian strikes on Ukraine.
The Sun6hZelensky almost hit by drone on his way to funeral of Norway’s King Harald in ‘targeted Russian attack’ on plane
Daily Mail5hZelensky's plane 'was almost hit by a drone' as it jetted to late King of Norway's funeral
Newsmax7hNorway PM: Zelenskyy's Plane 'Almost Hit' by Drone Tuesday
The Epoch Times1dZelenskyy’s Plane Nearly Hit by Drone, Norwegian Prime Minister SaysWhat’s next: Zelenskyy attended King Harald's funeral in Oslo on Wednesday alongside leaders from more than 20 countries.
- He then flew to Canada after the funeral.
- Zelenskyy and Støre met with defence industry executives to advance a European anti-ballistic system codenamed FREYJA.
- Did Moldovan authorities determine whether the drone was directed at Zelenskyy's aircraft?
- What was Støre's source, and how close did the drone come to the plane?
- Will Moldova or Romania release an official account of the airspace incident?