Drone Nearly Strikes Zelenskyy’s Plane During Takeoff From Moldova
- A plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was nearly struck by a drone during takeoff from Moldova on Tuesday, according to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
- The near-miss took place as Zelenskyy's aircraft prepared to depart from Chisinau airport in Moldova on Tuesday, September 9, 2026, according to statements made by Støre to Norwegian...
- Zelenskyy arrived safely in Oslo on Tuesday evening, September 9, 2026, to attend the Wednesday funeral services for King Harald V, joining other international heads of state to...
A plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was nearly struck by a drone during takeoff from Moldova on Tuesday, according to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The close call occurred as Zelenskyy traveled to Oslo for the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V, highlighting the severe airspace risks surrounding his diplomatic travel.
Drone Near-Miss at Chisinau Airport
The near-miss took place as Zelenskyy’s aircraft prepared to depart from Chisinau airport in Moldova on Tuesday, September 9, 2026, according to statements made by Støre to Norwegian public broadcaster NRK on Wednesday. Støre did not specify the exact source of his information or state how close the drone came to the aircraft. Arrivals and departures at Chisinau airport were temporarily suspended on Tuesday after two Russian drones entered Moldovan airspace, flight tracking data showed. One of the drones landed in a field and triggered a fire, while the second continued across the border into Romanian airspace. Moldovan President Maia Sandu denounced the airspace violations as a severe threat to public safety, following a separate border attack that killed two people. Officials in Moldova did not issue immediate public comments regarding Støre’s specific statement about Zelenskyy’s plane.
High-Stakes Diplomacy and Air Defense Talks in Oslo
Zelenskyy arrived safely in Oslo on Tuesday evening, September 9, 2026, to attend the Wednesday funeral services for King Harald V, joining other international heads of state to march behind the monarch’s coffin. Beyond the state memorial, the visit focused heavily on military assistance and regional security coordination.
During his meetings with Støre, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, Zelenskyy discussed urgent needs for Ukrainian air defense and civilian support. Discussions also touched on the Freyja initiative, an effort involving European companies aimed at creating a European anti-ballistic system and establishing industrial solutions for domestic weapon production inside Ukraine.
We’re not there yet. Industry is working together to see whether it is possible to provide air defence systems for Ukraine, but also to find an industrial solution that would allow them to build air defence systems themselves. To put it simply, they have holes in the roof,
Støre told NRK regarding the ongoing industrial negotiations.
Travel Complications Amid Sustained Missile Strikes
Støre recounted that his conversation with the Ukrainian leader underscored the constant toll of the ongoing conflict.
I asked him how his night had been, and he said it had not been a good night because he had been on the phone receiving updates about where the missiles had struck.
It is a very dramatic situation.
It makes a strong impression,
Støre told NRK. Following the conclusion of the funeral ceremonies in Oslo, Zelenskyy departed Norway to continue his international itinerary with scheduled talks in Canada, according to Støre.