World News
Norway says drone nearly struck Zelenskyy's plane, but Ukrainian source disputes risk
Moldova briefly shut its airspace over a drone incursion, causing flight delays during the Ukrainian leader's transit.
Latest update: A Ukrainian presidential source called claims that Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plane faced danger exaggerated, saying the incident was an airspace alert over a Russian drone.
The short version
- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store claimed Volodymyr Zelenskyy's aircraft was nearly hit by a drone during takeoff from Moldova.[Al Jazeera]
- A Ukrainian presidential source disputed the risk, describing assertions that Zelenskyy was in danger as exaggerated.[CBS News]
- Moldovan officials confirmed airspace was temporarily closed due to a drone incursion, delaying the flight, while police reported a Russian drone crashed in a field.[ABC News]
Key facts
- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store stated that an airplane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was almost hit by a drone while taking off from Moldova.[Al Jazeera · CBS News]
- A source within the Ukrainian presidency disputed the claim that Zelenskyy was in direct danger, calling it exaggerated.[CBS News]
- A Moldovan government spokesperson confirmed that Zelenskyy's flight was delayed after national airspace was closed due to a drone incursion.[ABC News]
- Moldovan police stated that a Russian drone crashed in a sunflower field in the Riscani district, causing four fires and no injuries.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- The proximity of the drone to Zelenskyy's aircraft remains unverified, with Norwegian and Ukrainian officials providing conflicting assessments of the risk.[Al Jazeera · CBS News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.