Incident during flight to Oslo
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on Thursday that a jet carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was ‘‘almost hit’’ by a drone as it took off from Moldova on its way to Oslo. Støre made the remark while describing the episode to reporters; he did not provide further operational details in his remarks.
Limited official detail
Norwegian authorities have not released additional information about the precise timing, location, or origin of the drone, and it was not immediately clear whether any damage occurred or if an investigation has been opened. Støre’s comments represented the clearest public confirmation to date that the presidential aircraft had encountered a close call during the flight leg from Moldova.
Security implications
The episode highlights the hazards posed by unmanned aerial systems in and around the conflict zone. Drones have been widely used in the war in Ukraine for reconnaissance and strike missions, raising concerns about their reach and the potential risk to civilian and diplomatic flights operating near the border regions.
Regional context
Moldova, which borders Ukraine, has been monitoring security developments closely since the outbreak of the war, and the proximity of hostilities has repeatedly raised fears of spillover incidents. It was not immediately known whether Moldovan authorities had been involved in responding to the reported drone sighting or had information about its origin.
Unclear effects on itinerary
There was no immediate confirmation that the president’s travel plans were altered as a result of the incident. Norwegian and Ukrainian officials had not issued further statements by the time of Støre’s remarks.