Zelensky’s plane almost hit by drone en route to Oslo, says Norway’s PM
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A plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky landing in Gardermoen, Norway, on Sept 8. Zelensky’s plane was almost hit by a drone when taking off from Moldova, said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Zelensky’s plane was nearly hit by a Russian drone while taking off from Moldova, causing airspace closure and flight delays.
- Ukraine and Moldova downplayed the incident, calling the threat "exaggerated," confirming the drone exploded 160 km from Chisinau Airport.
- Zelensky arrived safely in Oslo, discussed military and civilian aid with Norwegian officials, and later attended King Harald’s funeral before travelling to Canada for talks.
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OSLO - Ukraine and Moldova on Sept 9 played down claims from Norway’s prime minister that a plane carrying President Volodymyr Zelensky was almost hit by a drone as it flew to Oslo.
Jonas Gahr Store told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK that Zelensky’s plane was “almost hit by a drone when it was taking off from Moldova”.
But a source in the Ukrainian presidency described the claim that Zelensky was at risk as “exaggerated”.
“It was an alert in Moldova when a Russian (drone) entered Moldovan and Romanian airspace,” the source told AFP.
In Chisinau, government spokesman Dumitru Ciorici said Moldova closed its airspace on the afternoon of Sept 8 just after 4.30pm local time due to a Russian drone that entered from the direction of Ukraine.
“The airspace was closed to protect aircraft flying over Moldova at the time: three departures and four arrivals were delayed as a result,” he added.
“After 1720, the authorities confirmed that the drone had come down and exploded... some 160 kilometres from Chisinau International Airport.
“Flight restrictions were then lifted. For the same reason, the plane of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took off... later than scheduled.”
Zelensky arrived in Oslo on the evening of Sept 8 and held talks with Store, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide on Norwegian military aid, including air-defence support, and civilian assistance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arriving in Gardermoen, Norway, on Sept 8, ahead of King Harald V’s funeral.
PHOTO: EPA
On Sept 9, he joined a host of other foreign dignitaries at the funeral of Norway’s King Harald, who died on Aug 28 aged 89.
Zelensky left Norway afterwards, headed for Canada and talks with leaders there, Store told NRK. AFP