Russian drone incident delays Zelensky flight from Moldova

A Russian jet-powered drone that entered Moldovan airspace forced the temporary grounding of the aircraft carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as it prepared to depart Chisinau for Norway, Moldovan officials said.

Plane cleared to leave after drone crash confirmed

The presidential plane waited on the tarmac at Chisinau International Airport until authorities determined that the drone had crashed and exploded roughly 160 kilometres from the airport, after which the flight received permission to take off.

Vladislav Kulminski, Moldova’s ambassador to the United States, described the episode as likely deliberate and said investigators were still examining the incident. He told officials it was premature to assign a definitive motive but warned the timing — while the Ukrainian president’s plane was on the ground — was notable.

"We do not believe that jet-powered drones fly over Moldovan territory solely for surveillance purposes while the plane of the Ukrainian president is on the ground at the airport," Kulminski said, adding that the probe is ongoing and "it is too early to say" whether President Zelensky himself was the target.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who revealed details of the incident, said: "His plane was almost hit by a drone while it was preparing to take off from Moldova. That is the reality he faces."

Officials also reported a second drone entered Moldovan airspace but continued on a trajectory over Romania. Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the incursions as "a serious threat to people's lives." Zelensky had been travelling to Norway to attend the funeral of King Harald V.

Photo: press material from the event