Un Russian drone In Moldovan airspace, the presidential flight was grounded and there is suspicion of a possible attack. Alarm was raised over the trip of Volodymyr Zelensky towards Oslo he was the Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store, according to which the Ukrainian president's plane "was almost hit by a drone." This reconstruction was scaled down by sources in the Ukrainian presidency, who called the description of a direct threat "exaggerated." At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the raid was a targeted attack against Zelensky.
Norwegian PM reveals drone threatens Zelensky's plane
Støre told the story to the public broadcaster NRK after receiving in his office the Ukrainian president, who had arrived in Norway with his wife Olena to attend the state funeral of King Harald V. According to the prime minister, the drone would have threatened the plane as he prepared to depart Moldova. "This is the reality he's living," the Norwegian prime minister commented. During the meeting, which took place before the ceremony, Støre asked Zelensky how he had spent the night. The president reportedly replied that he had stayed on the phone to follow updates on the bombing and receive news of the locations hit by the missiles.
During his visit to Norway, the Ukrainian leader also met with Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, former NATO Secretary General. However, Støre's remarks shifted the focus to the security of the transfer to Oslo and the circumstances surrounding the incursion.
The drone's path and the postponed take-off
According to reconstruction made by RepublicThe presidential Airbus landed in Chisinau from Krakow at 15.17pm on Tuesday, September 8. The drone was reportedly spotted on the Crimean coast at 15.40pm and, after crossing Transnistria, reached the area of the Moldovan capital around 16.40pm. At that time, Zelensky's plane was still on the groundThe unmanned aircraft then continued toward Romania, prompting the alert and the scramble of two Spanish NATO fighter jets from the Constanta base. The incursion also interfered with civilian traffic, forcing some aircraft to depart the area. After returning to Moldova at 5:05 PM, the drone crashed in the north of the country about ten minutes later.
The presidential jet took off at 5:57 PM, after the emergency had ended. A Moldovan government spokesperson confirmed that the departure had been delayed by the threat, first in the capital area and then along the route to Oslo.
Kiev downplays the risk for Zelensky
La Ukrainian clarification He later modified the picture suggested by Støre's words. A presidential source, contacted by AFP, explained that "it was an alarm in Moldova when a Russian drone entered Moldovan and Romanian airspace," calling the claim that Zelensky was in direct danger "exaggerated." Kiev therefore confirms the emergency which affected the trip, but disputes the depiction of a presidential plane being hit. Zelensky has not commented on the incident.
Questions remain about the drone's route and its coincidence with the president's presence in Chisinau. Republic describes an anomalous mission and raises the possibility of a demonstrative action. However, the hypothesis of a warning, as well as that of an attack, has not been officially confirmed.
Negotiations and Carney's visit to Canada
On the diplomatic level, Kiev and Moscow signal openings upon the resumption of negotiations with Washington. Zelensky says he is "ready to compromise," urging Russia to make concessions as well. The Kremlin hopes for new trilateral talks soon, with Abu Dhabi among the possible venues.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president arrived in the night in Canada, where he will meet the Prime Minister today Mark Carney to strengthen support for Kiev. Accompanied by his wife, Olena, he will continue his visit until Friday, with meetings dedicated to defense, economic, and energy cooperation.
