Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Zelensky Says Russia Targeted His Plane to Intimidate Him
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said drones threatened his presidential plane twice.
He said both incidents happened while traveling through Moldova.
He believes Russia was trying to scare him and other leaders.
Ukrainian officials said everyone on his delegation was safe.
A separate drone hit a train carrying foreign visitors in Ukraine.
The visitors had to leave the train near the Polish border.
Zelensky said he did not think that attack was accidental.
The people involved did not initially know whether the drones were aimed at the plane or train, while NATO later shot down a drone over Lithuania.
Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia targeted his presidential aircraft twice in recent weeks while it was traveling through Moldova.
Zelensky said one or two drones entered Moldovan airspace during his return journey to Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials said everyone traveling with the presidential delegation was safe, while the drones’ intent was initially unclear.
A Russian drone struck a passenger train carrying foreign dignitaries in Ukraine, forcing passengers to evacuate near the Polish border.
NATO fighter jets shot down a drone over Lithuania, according to Lithuanian military officials cited by The Associated Press.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian officials, foreign dignitaries, and NATO forces are central to the reports.
- What
- Zelensky alleged that Russia targeted his presidential aircraft twice; a separate drone struck a train carrying foreign visitors, and another drone was shot down over Lithuania.
- When
- The aircraft incidents occurred in recent weeks, with the return incident happening a few days before Zelensky’s Tuesday interview; the train strike occurred Sunday and the Lithuania shootdown Tuesday.
- Where
- The reported incidents occurred in or near Moldova, Ukraine, and Lithuania; the train was struck near Ukraine’s border with Poland.
- Why
- Zelensky said the alleged attacks were intended to intimidate him and other international leaders, although the intent and attribution of some drone activity were initially unclear.
Zelensky’s Allegation
Unresolved Attribution and Intent
Aircraft incidents
Zelensky’s Allegation
Zelensky said Russia attacked or targeted his presidential aircraft twice in Moldova as part of a strategy to intimidate him and other leaders.
Unresolved Attribution and Intent
Ukrainian officials said the delegation was safe, but it was initially unclear whether the drone activity was intentional.
Train strike
Zelensky’s Allegation
Zelensky said he did not believe the drone strike on the train carrying American and European visitors was accidental and suggested Russia may have known who was aboard.
Unresolved Attribution and Intent
Zelensky acknowledged that he was unsure whether Russia knew foreign officials were on the train; the report does not independently establish the attackers’ intent.
- Main allegation
- Zelensky said Russia targeted his presidential aircraft twice.
- First reported aircraft location
- Moldova.
- Return journey
- Zelensky said one or two drones entered Moldovan airspace while he traveled back to Ukraine.
- Train incident
- A Russian drone struck a passenger train carrying foreign dignitaries in Ukraine on Sunday.
- Evacuation site
- Passengers evacuated near the Polish border.
- Foreign delegation
- The train group included senior European officials and former CIA Director David Petraeus.
- Lithuania incident
- NATO fighter jets shot down a drone over Lithuania on Tuesday, according to Lithuanian military officials cited by The Associated Press.