Norwegian PM claims Zelensky's plane nearly hit by drone in Moldova, Ukraine downplays risk

Ukraine and Moldova on Wednesday downplayed remarks made by Norway’s prime minister that President Volodymyr Zelensky’s aircraft was “almost hit by a drone” while taking off from Moldova on its way to Oslo. Jonas Gahr Støre told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK that a drone had come close to the plane during its departure, implying a near‑miss that could have endangered the Ukrainian leader.

A spokesperson from the Ukrainian presidency responded that the incident was “exaggerated,” indicating that no serious threat to the president’s safety materialised. Both Kyiv and Chisinau emphasized that the flight proceeded without incident, and no further details of a drone encounter have been confirmed. The clarification comes as Zelensky prepares for diplomatic engagements in Norway, underscoring the routine nature of the trip despite the earlier claim.