Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Norway Says Zelenskyy’s Plane Nearly Hit by Drone
Norway’s prime minister said a drone nearly hit the plane carrying Ukraine’s president.
The plane was leaving Moldova and flying to Oslo.
Norwegian officials said a drone threat delayed the flight, but they did not know how close it came.
A Ukrainian official said there was a drone alert but said the danger to Zelenskyy was exaggerated.
Zelenskyy arrived safely in Oslo on Tuesday evening.
He attended the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V. He also met Norwegian leaders and defense companies to discuss protecting Ukraine from attacks.
They talked about the FREYJA program and helping Ukraine make some air-defense systems itself.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Zelenskyy’s plane was almost hit by a drone while taking off from Moldova.
Norwegian officials said a drone threat delayed the flight, but they did not know how close the drone came.
A Ukrainian presidency source said an alert followed a Russian drone entering Moldovan and Romanian airspace, calling the danger to Zelenskyy exaggerated.
Zelenskyy attended King Harald V’s funeral in Oslo and met Norwegian officials about military and civilian support for Ukraine.
The discussions included the FREYJA anti-ballistic program and possible cooperation to help Ukraine develop and build air-defense systems.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Norwegian officials, and a Ukrainian presidency source.
- What
- Norway said a drone nearly struck the plane carrying Zelenskyy from Moldova to Oslo; a Ukrainian source disputed how serious the danger was.
- When
- The reported threat occurred during takeoff from Moldova before Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo on Tuesday evening; Støre discussed it on Wednesday.
- Where
- The drone alert was reported in or around Moldovan airspace, with the Ukrainian account also referring to Romanian airspace; Zelenskyy’s meetings and the funeral took place in Oslo, Norway.
- Why
- Zelenskyy was traveling to attend King Harald V’s funeral and discuss support for Ukraine, including strengthening its air defenses.
Norwegian Officials’ Account
Ukrainian Presidency Account
Severity of the threat
Norwegian Officials’ Account
Støre said the plane was almost hit by a drone, while other Norwegian officials confirmed a drone threat and delays affecting the flight.
Ukrainian Presidency Account
A Ukrainian presidency source acknowledged an alert involving a Russian drone but said claims that Zelenskyy himself was at risk were exaggerated.
Certainty about what happened
Norwegian Officials’ Account
Norwegian officials reported the threat but did not say how close the drone came, identify its operator, or provide further details.
Ukrainian Presidency Account
The Ukrainian source described the alert as involving Moldovan and Romanian airspace but did not confirm that the aircraft nearly collided with the drone.
- Reported incident
- Jonas Gahr Støre said Zelenskyy’s plane was almost hit by a drone while taking off from Moldova.
- Flight disruption
- Norwegian officials said a drone threat in Moldovan airspace delayed the flight.
- Uncertainty
- Officials did not establish how close the drone came to the aircraft or identify who operated it.
- Ukrainian account
- A Ukrainian presidency source said an alert followed a Russian drone entering Moldovan and Romanian airspace, but called claims that Zelenskyy was personally at risk exaggerated.
- Oslo visit
- Zelenskyy attended King Harald V’s funeral and met Støre and other Norwegian officials.
- Defense discussions
- The talks covered military and civilian assistance, Ukraine’s air-defense capabilities, and possible domestic production of air-defense systems.
- FREYJA
- Zelenskyy and Norwegian officials discussed advancing a European anti-ballistic program code-named FREYJA.
Sources
Zelenskyy Plane Nearly Hit by Drone En Route to Oslo: Norwegian PM
Zelenskyy’s flight to Oslo 'almost hit' by drone after taking off from Moldova: Norway PM
Zelenskyy's plane narrowly avoids drone threat en route to Oslo
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Plane 'Almost Hit' By Drone While Taking Off From Moldova For King Harald V's Funeral, Norway PM Says
