Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told public broadcaster NRK that a plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was “almost hit” by a drone as it prepared to take off from Chișinău International Airport on Tuesday. The incident occurred while the delegation was en route to Oslo for the state funeral of King Harald V.
Drone incursions trigger air‑space shutdown
According to a Moldovan government spokesperson, two Russian‑origin drones were involved. One drone landed on Moldovan territory, sparking a fire in a field north of the capital, while the second continued into Romanian airspace before crashing in Moldova after about an hour of flight.
Authorities closed Moldovan airspace temporarily, forcing the airport to suspend arrivals and departures. Incoming flights were placed in holding patterns or diverted to neighboring airports until officials could confirm the area was safe. Once the landed drone was secured and the fire contained, the airport cleared Zelenskyy’s aircraft for takeoff.
Security concerns and regional response
Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the incursions as a “serious threat to people’s lives” and also denounced a separate Russian drone strike on a border crossing that killed two people. The incidents underscore ongoing tensions in the region and the use of unmanned systems to probe NATO air‑defense measures, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
Romanian airspace was briefly entered by one of the drones, prompting coordination between Moldovan and Romanian authorities to monitor and respond to the aerial breach.
Zelenskyy’s visit to Norway
After the safe departure, President Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo on Tuesday evening. He met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg to discuss continued military aid, including air‑defense support, and civilian assistance for Ukraine.
The Norwegian government reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s security and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people during the king’s funeral proceedings.
Implications for regional security
The drone incidents highlight the challenges faced by Eastern European nations in safeguarding their airspace amid heightened Russian activity. NATO allies continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of collective defense and rapid response to aerial threats.
While the immediate danger was averted, officials in Moldova, Romania, and Norway remain vigilant as they assess the broader security implications of the drone incursions.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
